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AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Tuesday visited seven key development sites in the northern city of Ajloun, as part of the government’s ongoing outreach across the Kingdom.

Hassan visited agriculture, industry, tourism, health, and youth development sites, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

At the Northern Ajloun Villages Association in Sakhrah, the prime minister commended the "group’s innovative approach to food processing and crop management."

 The association’s operations in cooling, drying, and packaging vegetables and fruits provide vital jobs for locals, particularly women, the statement said.

 “This association is a model for agricultural productivity and food manufacturing,” Hassan said, announcing plans to supply the group with advanced packaging equipment and tools to improve marketing and exports, especially to Gulf countries. "The government will also fund the association’s rent for a decade to secure its financial sustainability."

At the Ajloun Vocational Training Institute, which trains 250 youth across 15 fields, Hassan engaged with trainees and listened to their aspirations. He promised immediate action to address transportation issues for students and announced measures to support them post-graduation, including linking them with job opportunities and providing start-up equipment for small businesses, according to the statement.

 “We will also expand training in key sectors such as hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, ensuring these programmes align with labour market demands,” he said, adding that new computers and air conditioning systems would be provided for the institute’s workshops.

The prime minister visited the Advanced Technology Garment Manufacturing Company in Ajloun, which employs around 300 women, most of whom are university graduates.

 “This company exemplifies how local investments can drive economic growth while creating safe and supportive workplaces,” he noted.

The company plans to expand operations by adding a production line after Ramadan, creating 60 new jobs, and constructing an additional floor by 2026 to accommodate 150 more workers. The factory, which exports to the US, reported a JD73 million export total in 2024, with production efficiency reaching 85 per cent, one of the highest globally, the statement said.

The historic Mar Elias Church, a major Christian pilgrimage site, was part of the premier's visit, where he called for expedited restoration efforts and improved visitor services to enhance its appeal.

Recognised as one of the five Christian pilgrimage destinations designated by the Vatican in Jordan, the church is among the largest in the Kingdom and serves as the second Christian pilgrimage site in Ajloun after Our Lady of the Mountain Church.

At the Ajloun Cable Car Station, which attracted 365,000 visitors last year, the prime minister emphasized the project’s role in boosting the region’s profile. He directed officials to ensure the cable car system is ready for the tourist season and proposed extending the route to Mar Elias Hill, linking the area’s religious and cultural landmarks.

Hassan’s visit to the Ajloun Comprehensive Health Center included directives to build a new facility by 2026. The center, currently housed in a rented building, will move to ministry-owned land to enhance accessibility and services.

At the Ajloun Youth Center, Hassan met with young people to discuss their priorities. He urged a reevaluation of youth programs to better align with market demands.

“The energy of our youth must be harnessed not just for their personal growth but for the betterment of their communities,” Hassan said, encouraging youth involvement in tourism initiatives such as site clean-up and preservation campaigns.

Ministers of agriculture, tourism, health, and local administration accompanied the prime minister.

AMMAN — The Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Tuesday signed an agreement to launch the second phase of the Sustainable Environment and Economic Development Project (SEED).

Funded by the Canadian government with JD11 million, the initiative aims to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy in the southern Jordan Valley. 

The five-year project will integrate efforts across the energy, water and food sectors (NEXUS) to achieve sustainable and comprehensive development in the region.

The scheme is expected to boost the local economy and enhance the quality of life in local communities.

This phase will focus on raising community awareness about renewable energy and energy efficiency.

It will also implement practical solutions, including establishing an electric vehicle charging station and conducting energy audits for government buildings in the Southern Jordan Valley.

Energy efficiency improvements will also be carried out in three public schools and three health centres. 

The project will also deliver training programmes for employees of small- and medium-sized enterprises and civil society organisations.

Entrepreneurship programmes will be developed to create new job opportunities, and local municipalities will receive capacity-building support. 

JREEEF Director Rasmi Hamzeh emphasised that the project represents an "important" step in boosting partnerships with the Canadian government to achieve Jordan’s developmental goals.

He highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to sustainable development by adopting innovative renewable energy solutions. 

SEED Director Mohammad Ramadan noted that this phase builds on the "success" of the first phase, which was implemented in Ajloun Governorate and Deir Alla District.

During the first phase, energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions were introduced in 11 government buildings, including six schools and five health centres.

Two solar power stations, with a capacity of 952 kilowatts each, were also established for the municipalities of Deir Alla and Al Madi.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a phone call on Monday, discussed the latest developments in the region and ways to enhance regional security and stability, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The call also covered means to strengthen the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, as well as keenness to maintain coordination and consultation on various issues, the statement said.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein met on Monday with Prince William, the Prince of Wales, at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.

Discussions during the meeting, which took place as part of the Crown Prince's private visit to the UK, focused on ways to enhance cooperation across various fields, with the two princes emphasising the strong relations between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — Deputising of His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Prince Hashim Bin Al Hussein attended a ceremony on Monday, marking the occasion of Al Israa wal Miraj.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, took place at the cultural centre of the King Abdullah I Mosque.

The Israa, followed by the Miraj, took place on Rajab 27, the seventh month of the Hijri lunar calendar, in the 10th year of Mohammad’s prophethood.

Islamic sources say the prophet was carried from the Holy Mosque in Mecca to the Farthest Mosque (Al Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem on a creature called Al Buraq, and in the company of the archangel Gabriel, who took him to heaven.

During the ceremony, Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Khalaileh emphasised the importance of the occasion as a reflection of the nation's enduring commitment to its Islamic heritage and history.

He described the event as an opportunity to honour the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) journey and reaffirm the duty to protect Islamic sanctities.

Khalaileh called for unity in support of the Kingdom's efforts to protect Islamic holy sites, especially in light of the increasing threats to Al Aqsa Mosque.

 "Anyone who believes that Muslims will give up even an inch of Al-Aqsa Mosque is deeply mistaken," he said. "Throughout history, Muslims have made great sacrifices to defend it, from the Pact of Umar to its liberation under Salahuddin Al Ayyubi. The Arab Army defended it bravely, and the martyrs rest along its walls, their graves standing as eternal symbols of their sacrifice."

The event was attended by senior officials and dignitaries, including Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi, the Grand Mufti of Jordan Ahmed Al Hasanat, the Chief Islamic Justice Abdulhafith Rabtah, Imam of the Royal Court Ahmed Khalaileh and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Awqaf Abdullah Aqil. Also present were Senator Ahmad Hlayel, Grand Mufti of the Jordanian Armed Forces Col. Hassan Mukhatereh, Mufti of the Public Security Directorate Col. Samer Hwamlah, senior military and civilian officials, and ambassadors of Arab and Islamic nations accredited to Jordan.

AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday reaffirmed Jordan’s steadfast opposition to any attempts to displace Palestinians, emphasizing that Jordan will never serve as an alternative homeland.

Speaking during a legislative session attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and the ministerial team, House Ahmad Safadi underscored that alleviating the suffering of Gaza’s residents must not involve solutions that align with "Zionist" expansionist agendas.

 He warned that such agenda would only lead to devastation and destruction across the region.

The speaker highlighted Jordan’s unwavering commitment to genuine peace efforts, rejecting any calls to relocate Palestinians to Jordan or Egypt.

Safadi pledged that the Chamber would take every possible measure to uphold Jordan’s national principles, encapsulated in its core message: “No to displacement, no to an alternative homeland, Palestine belongs to the Palestinians, and Jordan belongs to the Jordanians.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, during the session, reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the Kingdom’s dedication to supporting Palestinian sovereignty and the establishment of an independent state.

He also highlighted Jordan’s continued efforts to provide aid to Gaza amidst the ongoing ceasefire, noting that these efforts are conducted under the direct guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah .

The foreign minister underscored Jordan’s proactive role in reviving "meaningful" political action to realize a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to the two-state solution as the only viable path to achieving peace and stability.

The minister strongly rejected any notion of Jordan serving as an alternative homeland or any solution to the Palestinian issue at Jordan’s expense. “As His Majesty has repeatedly made clear, such proposals are categorically unacceptable. We say no to displacement and no to compromising Palestinian rights,” Safadi asserted.

He emphasized that Jordan’s position is rooted in its principles of justice and stability for the region. “Our unwavering stance is that Palestine belongs to the Palestinians, and their statehood must be realized on their national soil. This is the only way to achieve lasting security and stability in the region,” he added.

Safadi also highlighted Jordan’s role as a key player in international diplomacy, facilitating humanitarian aid from global partners. “Jordan not only provides direct assistance but also ensures that aid from global partners reaches Gaza. Our efforts to advocate for peace, justice, and stability remain unrelenting,” he noted.

On the international front, Safadi emphasized the importance of Jordan’s strategic relationships with the United States and the European Union.

 “These partnerships are critical to advancing our shared interests. In the coming days, we will sign a strategic partnership agreement with the EU, creating new opportunities to boost our economy, enhance exports, and support tourism while advocating for regional priorities, foremost among them the Palestinian cause,” he explained.

Addressing developments in Lebanon, Safadi expressed Jordan’s support for the country’s security and stability.

Concluding his remarks, Safadi underscored Jordan’s unified stance on Palestine and Jerusalem’s Arab, Islamic, and Christian heritage. “When it comes to the Palestinian cause, the sanctity of Jerusalem, and Jordan’s national interests, there is no division between the government, the Lower House, and the people. We stand together with unwavering solidarity and an unshakable commitment to justice and peace,” he declared.

The Lower House, by majority vote, approved the Public Statistics Law for 2024, which consists of 21 articles. A key amendment was introduced to delay the law’s implementation until 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, rather than the immediate effect stipulated in the original draft.

The government-proposed draft initially mandated the law’s enforcement from the date of publication, but lawmakers insisted on the 30-day delay.

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdulmunim Awdat explained that the law, last updated in 2012, requires amendments to establish a comprehensive statistical database for informed decision-making.

He highlighted plans to create an interactive national data center to collect, process, and analyze data. “A sound decision-making process relies on accurate, up-to-date statistics,” Awdat said.

"Typically, laws come into effect 30 days after their publication in the Official Gazette. However, the decision to enforce the law immediately or after 30 days is within the discretion of the Lower Chamber," he said.

In response to inquiries about conducting a general census every 10 years, Awdat noted that this interval aligns with internationally recognized statistical standards established by the United Nations.

The House reviewed and voted on each article of the draft law individually.

The rationale, which aligns with the Executive Program of the Economic Modernization Vision and the Public Sector Modernization Map, aims to diversify data sources by leveraging administrative records from ministries, governmental institutions, and the private sector to save time and effort.

The law promotes the use of nontraditional data collection methods and seeks to create a comprehensive statistical database covering economic, demographic, and social sectors. This database will support decision-makers and meet the needs of data users while ensuring high-quality, accessible, and timely information through the establishment of the interactive national data center.

AMMAN — The Arab League on Monday underlined its "firm and unequivocal" support for Jordan and Egypt in their rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland.

In a statement issued upon his arrival in Rome for the Arab-Italian Economic Forum, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit stressed that the Arab world’s stance on the forced displacement of Palestinians—whether in Gaza or the West Bank—remains resolute and non-negotiable.

"Any proposals to uproot Palestinians from their homeland are unacceptable and should not even be considered," he said.

He also said that recurring notions of uprooting Palestinians are "not only rejected outright but are also futile to discuss."

Aboul Gheit also highlighted that the steadfast positions of Jordan and Egypt, coupled with the resilience of the Palestinian people and the unwavering support of the Arab world, will ultimately thwart all attempts to undermine the Palestinian cause.