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AMMAN — The number of electric vehicles (EVs) entering Jordan increased by 29 per cent in 2024, reaching 52,849 vehicles, up from 41,048 in 2023, according to data from the free zones.

Imports of hybrid vehicles also rose by 8 per cent, totalling 24,760 vehicles during the same period. while gasoline-powered vehicle imports declined by 3 per cent, with 34,161 units entering Jordan in 2024, down from the previous year, according to Al Mamlaka TV. 

In total, Jordan imported 130,611 vehicles in 2024, marking a 7 per cent rise compared with  2023, with a total value of vehicle imports amounting to JD1.558 billion.

Exports from Jordan’s free zones demonstrated strong growth as well, with vehicle exports rising by 20 per cent to 137,861 units, while the total value of exports increased by 29 per cent, reaching JD2.138 billion.

AMMAN — Jordan and the UAE have significantly advanced their bilateral ties across various fields, particularly in climate and environmental cooperation and the promotion of renewable energy solutions.  

The partnership underscores the shared commitment of both countries to addressing global climate challenges and transitioning to sustainable, low-carbon economies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Over the past decade, Jordan and the UAE have deepened their cooperation in clean and renewable energy, aligning with international efforts to reform energy systems, meet climate commitments, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Their cooperation is established by key agreements, including a 2021 Declaration of Intent to enhance clean electricity production and water desalination and a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and UAE-based renewable energy company Masdar to explore renewable energy projects with a combined production capacity of up to 2 gigawatts.

During COP28, the two countries signed two additional agreements: one for the development of a 1-gigawatt wind energy project with integrated battery storage and another for a feasibility study on a green hydrogen production plant near Aqaba Port.

The partnership also extends to innovative projects aimed at boosting Jordan's energy sector, improving resource efficiency, and integrating clean energy technologies to curb carbon emissions. 

Notable projects include the Baynouna Solar Energy Plant, Jordan’s largest solar project, which has a production capacity of 200 megawatts, generates electricity for approximately 160,000 homes annually and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 360,000 tonnes each year.

The Tafila Wind Farm, the first commercial wind power project in the Middle East, also contributes 117 megawatts of power, enhancing Jordan’s electricity generation capacity by 3 per cent.

Masdar’s involvement in Jordan’s renewable energy landscape is also pivotal in advancing green hydrogen production. 

By leveraging Jordan’s abundant renewable resources and strategic geographic position, the partnership aims to produce competitively priced green hydrogen fuel for European markets and help Jordan achieve its renewable energy goals.

The upcoming Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, beginning next Sunday in the UAE capital under the theme "United on Climate Action Toward COP28", presents an invaluable platform for fostering international partnerships. 

The event will feature high-profile activities, including the Global Climate Finance Forum and the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), further reinforcing Jordanian-Emirati cooperation in environmental and economic sustainability.

AMMAN — The Aqaba Marine Reserve has officially joined the IUCN’s Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, becoming part of a distinguished community of over 90 listed sites worldwide. 

The IUCN Green List represents the global benchmark for conservation excellence, recognising sites that demonstrate success in good governance, sound design and planning, effective management, and achieving meaningful conservation outcomes. 

In a statement to The Jordan Times, NayefFayez, Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Authority (ASEZA) said, "We are immensely proud that Jordan’s first and only marine protected area has officially joined the IUCN Green List Community. This achievement is a testament to the Aqaba Marine Reserve's excellence in meeting the rigorous Green List Standard.”

"The reserve has always been a top priority for His Majesty King Abdullah and has played a central role in both local and national planning. It serves as a remarkable conservation success story, demonstrating how the sustainable use of marine resources can coexist with the protection of Aqaba’s unique biodiversity." 

He added, "Achieving this certification is not the end of our journey but rather a milestone in our ongoing commitment. ASEZA will continue to support the Aqaba Marine Reserve and its exceptional management team, ensuring that all programmes remain aligned with the Green List Standard.” 

Fayez expressed gratitude to ASEZA strategic partners, including UNDP, EU, IUCN, for “their invaluable contributions to the effective management and operation of the reserve." 

The Aqaba Marine Reserve now joins two other Green Listed sites in Jordan—the Azraq Wetland Reserve and the Ajloun Forest Reserve—which were listed in 2018, the statement said.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, in a phone call on Friday, congratulated Lebanon President Joseph Aoun on his election.

His Majesty wished President Aoun success in serving Lebanon and its people, reiterating Jordan’s keenness to advance ties and expand cooperation between the two countries across various fields.

The King reaffirmed Jordan’s support for Lebanon in safeguarding its security and stability, and ensuring prosperity for its people, according to a Royal Court statement. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah congratulated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on winning the confidence of Lebanon’s parliament, which elected him as president, wishing him success, and the Lebanese people continued progress and prosperity.

In a cable to President Aoun, His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s support for Lebanon’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, stressing the deep-rooted bilateral relations and keenness to expand cooperation prospects while maintaining coordination in service of mutual interests and Arab unity, a Royal Court statement said. 

His Majesty has sent a cable to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, on the anniversary of his accession to the throne, expressing well wishes to him, and wishing the people of Oman further progress and prosperity, another Royal Court statement said. 

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Thursday inaugurated the Government Services Centre in Madaba, which offers 118 services from 24 government agencies.

The centre is open from 9am to 12 midnight every day except Fridays, and services can be obtained either by booking an appointment through “Sanad” application, or by directly visiting it, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Crown Prince Hussein stressed the importance of continuing the expansion plan of establishing government services centres across all governorates, given their importance in easing citizens’ access to public services.

His Royal Highness said e-government services should include the majority of government transactions, making it unnecessary for citizens to physically visit government departments except for specific procedures.

The Crown Prince listened to a briefing by Government Services Centres Director Dima Al Nahar on the services provided by the Madaba Government Services Centre, the statement said. 

Nahar said the centre's strategic location inside the bus station near the city's commercial centre makes it easily accessible and available to serve neighbouring areas, such as Naour, Umm Al Amad, Maeen, Husban and Dhiban.

The centre, supervised by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, is the seventh of its kind as part of a plan to cover all governorates. 

Other centres are open in Mugabalein, the Queen Alia International Airport, Irbid, and Tafileh, while centres in Aqaba and Maan are being operated on a trial basis.

Minister of State for Public Sector Development Kheirallah Abu Seileek, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Al Baqain accompanied His Royal Highness on the visit.

 Also on Thursday, Crown Prince Hussein visited the Madaba Centre of Excellence for Culinary Arts affiliated with the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC).

The centre was established through a partnership between the VTC and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), aimed at opening centres of excellence for culinary arts in Irbid, Jerash, Aqaba and Madaba, according to a nother Royal Court statement. 

His Royal Highness commended the interest of youth in benefiting from the centre’s training services, stressing that the skills they acquire will help them obtain job opportunities in the tourism sector.

The Crown Prince also highlighted the importance of supporting youth in Madaba to launch their projects in cooperation with “Dar Abu Abdullah Foundation” team, a non-profit that focuses on social development and economic empowerment.

His Royal Highness toured the centre's food, beverage and hospitality services departments, and was briefed by VTC Director General Ahmed Gharaibeh on the centre's programmes, and its role in promoting partnership between the public and private sectors to provide job opportunities for graduates of vocational and technical education and training, the statement said. 

Gharaibeh said the centre is currently training 75 people since the launch of its programmes in November, pointing out that the institution signed an agreement to employ the first batch of its graduates.

Tourism Minister Lina Annab, Labour Minister and VTC Chairman Khaled Bakkar, RACA Chairman Wajih Owais, and Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Al Baqain accompanied His Royal Highness on the visit.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan on Thursday met with EU Commissioner for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva to discuss enhancing cooperation between Jordan and the EU, particularly in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The meeting followed a series of high-level discussions held by Safadi and Toukan with senior EU officials, aimed at bolstering ties and finalising the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which is expected to be signed soon.

Safadi also met with European Council President António Costa, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and members of the EU Political and Security Committee to discuss boosting partnerships in key sectors and addressing regional developments.

Safadi and Toukan also met with EU Commissioner for Gender Equality and Crisis Management Hadja Habib and EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica. 

The talks focused on advancing economic and investment cooperation programmes and advancing progress on the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which aims to deepen Jordan-EU relations.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Interior on Thursday announced the resumption of cross-border transport services between Amman and Damascus.

This decision, which was coordinated with Syrian authorities and relevant agencies, aims to restore vital transport links between the two countries, according to an official source at the ministry.

The transport services will follow the previously established system, requiring travellers to register in advance through a dedicated e-platform, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

As part of the decision, Syrian vans permitted entry into Jordan before recent disruptions will be allowed to continue operations until April 1, provided they comply with strict guidelines. 

The ministry said that these regulations permit only passenger transport and strictly prohibit the transport of goods.

The ministry also added that the move seeks to enhance connectivity between Jordan and Syria while offering economic relief to vehicle owners and drivers by enabling them to resume their operations.

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Mohammad Momani on Thursday underscored the vital role of the strong partnership between the government and the Lower House of Parliament.

Speaking on a radio show, Momani highlighted that this relationship, rooted in the constitution, is built on positivity, mutual respect, and shared objectives, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The minister also noted that the ministerial team, led by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, has carefully considered the speeches delivered by Members of Parliament (MPs) in recent days concerning the draft 2025 General Budget Law. 

Momani, who is also the government spokesperson,  said that all observations made by MPs have been duly noted and will be addressed within the government’s capabilities, reinforcing the Lower House’s constitutional oversight role as the country’s legislative authority.

The minister also stressed that the government is committed to working collaboratively with the Lower House, the first council formed following the political modernisation project. 

"This project, which includes amendments to election and party laws as well as constitutional reforms, is designed to achieve the state’s goals of political modernization," he added.

Turning to media development, Momani reiterated the necessity of creating a long-term vision for the national media, developed in close cooperation with Jordan’s various media sectors. 

He noted that the ministry continues to engage with media stakeholders, with the second phase of these efforts focused on forming specialised teams from across the media sector to tackle key challenges.

Momani also stressed that the future media vision will empower national media to effectively defend Jordan's interests, with a particular focus on the Palestinian cause and the protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite guardianship.

On the topic of Jordan-Syria relations, Momani reaffirmed the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries, reiterating Jordan’s steadfast commitment to supporting Syria’s reconstruction and preserving its stability and sovereignty.

He also highlighted the success of the recent Syrian delegation’s visit to Jordan, during which crucial issues such as border security, drug smuggling, and the formation of joint committees in sectors like energy, health, transportation, trade, and water were discussed, paving the way for stronger bilateral cooperation that benefits both nations.