King attends event marking KAFD’s 20th anniversary, notes key role of youth

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday attended an event marking the 20th anniversary of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD).

The event, held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, showcased KAFD’s major milestones since its establishment in 2001, including the fund’s programmes, projects, and initiatives, according to a Royal Court statement.

During a tour of booths set up by KAFD’s young beneficiaries, King Abdullah listened to an overview of their accomplishments and projects, as well as their ideas and suggestions.

The King was briefed on two of the projects implemented by KAFD, the Parliamentary Fellowship Project and the Media and Information Literacy Project, which aim to empower youth in parliamentary action and raise their awareness on countering misinformation and rumours.

Addressing the youth in attendance, His Majesty reaffirmed the importance of the upcoming period in the process of political modernisation and development through enacting a number of laws.

“You have a key role and voice in the modernisation process and changing the culture towards political reform,” the King told the young Jordanians.

His Majesty noted the importance of integrating economic, political, and administrative reform, adding that improving the economic situation and strengthening the middle class will accelerate political reform, which Jordan is actively pursuing and whose success requires a prominent role for youth and women.

The King noted that the goal is achieving a qualitative leap in political life and giving youth and women a bigger role in decision-making, which requires their active participation in platform-based partisan action.

Highlighting the fund’s strategy, KAFD Chairman Nasser Lozi said it covers all governorates, with a focus on young people and enabling them to contribute to Jordan’s development.

Lozi said KAFD’s objectives include starting and developing productive development projects across governorates and providing technical support and guidance.

The fund also promotes vocational training, provides support for excelling students, supports scientific projects, and helps empower local communities to improve their living conditions, he added.

For his part, KAFD Director Saeb Al Hasan said the fund invests in Jordanian human capital through initiatives and programmes aimed at increasing productivity and nurturing creativity and innovation; and establishes development projects to help mitigate poverty and unemployment.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the event.