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AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein met on Thursday with World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General Daren Tang in Davos, Switzerland.

During the meeting, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, the Crown Prince discussed Jordan’s partnership with WIPO and means to boost cooperation, particularly in supporting the mission of the National Council for Future Technology, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Royal Highness commended WIPO’s programmes in Jordan, which support youth and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

Planning Minister Zeina Toukan, Jordan’s Ambassador to Switzerland Nawaf Al Tal, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain attended the meeting.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Thursday met with Austria’s interim Federal Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg.

Discussions at the meeting, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, covered ways to bolster cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also addressed current regional developments, according to a Royal Court statement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain attended the meeting.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Thursday met with Austria’s interim Federal Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg.

Discussions at the meeting, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, covered ways to bolster cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also addressed current regional developments, according to a Royal Court statement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain attended the meeting.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Thursday met with Lord Mayor of the City of London Alistair King, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. 

The meeting covered the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United Kingdom, and ways to enhance cooperation across economic and technology fields, in support of the mission of the National Council for Future Technology, a Royal Court statement said. 

Investment Minister Mothanna Gharaibeh and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain attended the meeting.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Education has launched its inclusive education campaign, "No Difference Makes a Difference: Inclusive Education for All," aimed at raising awareness about inclusion and diversity in education, covering topics ranging from the definition of inclusive education to its social and economic benefits, which positively impact individuals, local communities, and Jordan as a whole.

Deputising for Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah, Director of Education Management Ahmad Masafa emphasised that the ministry places significant importance on children with disabilities. It strives to integrate them into the educational process alongside their peers without disabilities, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

He noted that Jordan has made substantial progress over the years in achieving inclusion within the education sector, emphasising that the Jordanian government has expressed its ambition to lead the region in promoting greater equality between persons with disabilities and those without. 

This ambition is framed and defined within the National Strategy for Human Resources Development, the Ministry of Education’s Strategic Plan, and the 10-Year Strategy for Inclusive Education.

He highlighted that the Inclusive Education Strategy seeks to promote a culture of commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students, including students with disabilities in regular schools. This is considered a core responsibility of the Ministry of Education and is included within its policies and practices.

He also stated that since the launch of the 10-Year Strategy for Inclusive Education, the ministry, along with its partners, has been working on achieving the goals outlined in the strategy. 

The ministry has focused on reviewing existing legislation related to the acceptance of students with disabilities in public schools, as well as curricula, teaching methods, teacher guides, and support services. 

These measures aim to align with inclusive education principles and practices. Also, new systems and regulations have been developed to outline the criteria for accepting children with disabilities and integrating them into kindergartens and schools across the Kingdom, in accordance with the Disability Rights Law No. 20 of 2017.

The ministry has also developed a procedural guide for schools that outlines the steps to be followed for implementing inclusive education, identifying the necessary financial and human resources for executing inclusive education programmes. 

The ministry has developed a system for both financial and non-financial incentives at the school and teaching staff levels to ensure the effective implementation of inclusive education. 

The guide also includes integrating the fundamental requirements of inclusive education into educational programmes for all age groups and vocational education, as well as allocating the necessary financial provisions for their implementation.

He added that the ministry has worked to raise community awareness in Jordan about the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to education and integration into society, as well as the economic, social, and cultural benefits of inclusive education for all members of society. 

The ministry has also aimed to foster positive attitudes among teachers, students, parents, and local communities towards inclusive education, in order to reduce the negative traditional practices that segregate students with disabilities into centres outside of the formal educational context.

Efforts have also been made to provide learning and educational opportunities for out-of-school students with disabilities based on justice and equality with their peers in regular schools, according to the statement.

Regarding accessibility and its arrangements, he stated that the ministry is working on adapting the infrastructure in schools and educational facilities according to the building code requirements for persons with disabilities. This ensures that students with disabilities can access school buildings and facilities without physical barriers. 

The ministry is also providing the necessary facilitative arrangements, equipment, tools, and resources that students with disabilities require, viewing these as essential pillars of inclusive education.

He said that when the concept of "inclusion and diversity in education" is expanded to include other groups of children at risk of exclusion and marginalisation alongside children with disabilities, it is crucial to continue investing in "disability inclusion" and to consider expanding resources as needed in different geographic areas. 

He highlighted that the ministry, through its collective commitment, will work to coordinate efforts to achieve greater inclusion and diversity in education, ensuring that this is reflected in all its policies, plans, programmes, projects, and initiatives.

Masafa stressed that Jordan will witness a significant shift and achieve a fundamental change in the field of disability rights in general, and the right to education in particular. 

He added that the ministry is determined and committed to continuing the journey and achieving the goal that we all aspire to: creating a better reality for persons with disabilities, where they can live independently and freely on the foundations of justice, equality, and equal opportunities, the statement said.

This campaign is led by the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and is supported by the "Promoting Quality in Inclusive Education in Jordan Project,” implemented by the ‘Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in partnership with the consulting company PROMAN. 

The campaign marks the second phase of the "Inclusive Education for All" campaign, which was launched in 2020 and focused primarily on schools.

AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan on Thursday inaugurated the "Gaza Healthcare Relief" conference, an initiative organised by the Jordan Medical Association (JMA) to rally support for Gaza's healthcare sector. 

The event brought together local and international stakeholders, including representatives of charitable organisations, medical professionals and policymakers.

In his opening speech, Prince El Hassan emphasised the need for a unified humanitarian approach to support Gaza, calling on aid agencies to present a unified message to donors, based on the principle of "human dignity".

Efforts in Gaza must go beyond physical reconstruction, Prince Hassan said, adding "They must focus on emotional and social reconstruction, addressing not only material needs but also the human spirit." 

He urged stakeholders to work together across sectors, stressing the interconnectedness of health, education and living standards.

Former Minister of Health Saad Jaber shared sobering statistics, noting that the number of children killed in Gaza in the past four months exceeds the number of children killed in international conflicts in four years. 

He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by civil society and charitable organisations, including the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), to address the multiple needs of the people of Gaza.

JMA President Ziad Zoubi assured the readiness of Jordanian hospitals to treat the wounded in Gaza, highlighting the serious complications of war injuries, including amputations.

Zoubi also commended the military medical teams for their resilience in difficult conditions.

Jordan Engineers Association (JEA)  President Ahmed Zoubi announced the formation of a 750-member committee to assess the extensive damage in Gaza, estimated at more than $80 billion, calling on the international community to provide contractors and equipment to speed up reconstruction.

Highlighting the Kingdom's extensive humanitarian assistance, Secretary General of JHCO Hussein Shibli said that more than 2,500 tonnes of medical supplies worth $31 million have been delivered to Gaza, along with advanced medical equipment.

The organisation's "Restoring Hope" initiative has provided 267 prosthetic limbs to Gaza's amputees, addressing the needs of the growing number of people who have lost limbs in the war, which now stands at more than 16,000, he added.

Conference Secretary-General Bilal Azzam announced the launch of an international health platform to link Gaza's health needs with global donors, highlighting the platform as an important step towards finding sustainable solutions to the ongoing health crisis in the Strip.

Several new programmes were launched during the conference, with Fawzi Hammouri, head of the "Gaza Health" initiative introducing the Adnan Al Barsh Memorial Scholarship, which will enable Gaza's medical professionals to specialise in critical areas, including internal medicine and surgery.

The Serene Al Attar Memorial Training Initiative, announced by Head of the Private Hospitals Association Ahmad Al Ahmad will focus on strengthening Gaza's medical workforce. 

Named after a doctor who lost her life helping pregnant women during the Israeli war on Gaza, the initiative highlights the need for specialised health services in the war-torn Strip.

The two-day conference, attended by 80 organisations from 24 countries, aims to adopt projects that will rehabilitate Gaza's health system. Organisers hope the event will pave the way for a coordinated international effort to address the dire humanitarian and medical challenges in the war-torn Strip.

AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan on Wednesday concluded a working visit to Kuwait, during which he met with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah.

As part of his visit, El Hassan participated in the “MENA Water Development Financing Forum”, organised by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in partnership with the World Bank, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The forum addressed urgent regional challenges such as water scarcity and climate change and explored innovative financing mechanisms to advance sustainable development.

In his keynote address, Prince El Hassan underscored the geopolitical importance of the 35th meridian—a zone spanning the Arab world that has emerged as a hotspot for conflict, noting that nine active conflicts along this line stem from a volatile mix of political, ethnic, economic, and environmental factors.

"Stability in these regions requires a framework based on cooperation, mutual understanding and shared respect for human dignity," he said, emphasising the human and social dimensions of development projects.

The Prince also called for greater regional integration to address interconnected challenges, stressing for joint management of water, energy, food and ecosystems. 

He proposed the establishment of an Economic and Social Council to amplify the voices of Arab development regions globally, as well as a Red Sea Cooperation Council to promote stability on both sides of the Red Sea.

"Poverty is multidimensional," Prince El Hassan said, stressing the need for culturally sensitive and data-driven policies to effectively address its complexities and promote human dignity.

On the sidelines of the event, Prince El Hassan met with the heads of Arab and African development funds and Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa. 

He called for a comprehensive approach to development, centred on human dignity and self-determination.

The prince also met with Acting Director General of Kuwait's Zakat House Majid Al Azmi to discuss the evolving role of zakat (charitable giving) in promoting sustainable development. 

Their discussions focused on improving zakat mechanisms and programmes, with an emphasis on the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to use zakat to support vulnerable populations.

Azmi proposed the establishment of a global council for zakat and endowments to strengthen their role in promoting inclusive development.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Thursday met with Chairman of the Egyptian Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Hazem Omar at the Prime Ministry in Amman. 

Discussions focused on the deep relations between Jordan and Egypt, underlining their strong cooperation in various fields, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Both sides stressed the importance of continued dialogue and coordination to effectively address regional developments and common challenges.

The meeting was also attended by Hani Al Mulki, chairman of the Senate Arab, International and Expatriates Affairs Committee, Senator Ali Al Ayed, Rapporteur of the Arab, International, and Expatriate Affairs Committee, and Egyptian Ambassador to Jordan Mohamed Samir.

AMMAN — Minister of Labour Khaled Bakkaar met on Thursday with the Lower House Palestinian Committee to discuss measures to improve employment opportunities for Gazans with temporary Jordanian passports.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour, discussed the main challenges facing this community and ways to streamline work-related processes, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Stressing the ministry's commitment to organising the labour market and ensuring compliance with Jordanian labour laws, Bakkaar announced an important step to facilitate employment procedures for Gazans, allowing them to obtain work permits using their "white cards" instead of temporary passports. 

Gazans are an integral part of Jordan's social fabric and their contributions are valued, he reiterated.

The minister also highlighted His Majesty King Abdullah's directives to provide assistance to Gazans and pointed to Jordan's ongoing political, diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts, including the delivery of aid and the establishment of field hospitals, to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza.

Chairman of the panel MP Suleiman Saoud, outlined the concerns and demands of Gazans, stressing the importance of alleviating their hardships and facilitating their integration into the Jordanian labour market. 

He also praised Jordan's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and its continued efforts to assist the Gazans.

The committee members called for additional measures to simplify employment procedures for Gazans to ensure better opportunities and quality of life.

AMMAN — Formal childcare in Jordan remains a cornerstone for empowering working parents, particularly women striving to balance careers and family life. 

Despite its critical role in advancing gender equality and economic participation, the sector grapples with systemic challenges, including scarce access, prohibitive costs and uneven quality standards.

A recent report under the Mashreq Gender Facility—a World Bank-IFC initiative supported by the governments of Canada and Norway, reveals stark gaps in childcare availability. 

The study, which provides technical assistance to Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon to bolster women’s economic participation, found that licensed childcare facilities in Jordan can serve fewer than 3 per cent of children under five. 

With a total capacity of 33,400 slots nationwide, the system falls drastically short of meeting the needs of the country’s 1.48 million children in this age group.

The report also highlighted inequities in access, noting that families in lower-income neighbourhoods struggle to find licensed facilities, particularly centre-based options, due to geographic disparities. 

It also raised concerns about caregiver qualifications, highlighting that public school nurseries often employ staff with lower credentials compared with private counterparts.

To address these gaps, the report recommends strengthening institutional frameworks, expanding affordable service models- such as community-based or employer-sponsored programmes—and prioritising vulnerable populations through subsidies. 

Ogareet T, a childcare worker, stressed the need for holistic early childhood development, emphasising emotional support and school readiness. 

She warned that unlicensed facilities, often lacking safety standards, remain widespread. 

Educator Maha Manaseer echoes concerns about affordability and accessibility, noting that proximity to workplaces or homes is a major barrier for working mothers. 

“Reforming childcare isn’t just about convenience—it’s vital for Jordan’s social and economic future,” she said, underscoring the urgency of building a trustworthy, inclusive system.