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AMMAN — Olive oil production in Jordan has increased "significantly" during the first two months of the 2024 harvest season, rising by 40.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, the Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Thursday.

The figures revealed that olive oil production reached 34,030 tonnes from October 12 to December 11, compared to 24,270 tonnes during the same period in 2023, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Irbid Governorate emerged as the top producer, contributing 17,000 tonnes to the total, followed by Ajloun with 6,200 tonnes and Balqa with 3,200 tonnes. Aqaba Governorate recorded the lowest production with only 200 tonnes, DoS said.

The department is scheduled to release final production figures at the end of the olive harvest season early next year.

The annual survey of olive oil mills, conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture since 2008, includes weekly visits to mills throughout the harvest season to collect comprehensive data.

AMMAN — The Syrian Administration for Political Affairs has expressed its gratitude to several nations, including Jordan, for resuming diplomatic missions in Damascus. 

This announcement was made by the Syrian Ministry of Information on X platform. 

The administration specifically thanked Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Italy for reopening their embassies in Syria.

It also revealed that Qatar and Turkey have given direct assurances that they intend to reopen their embassies soon. 

"The Syrian people will not forget these honourable acts. We hope to build strong relations with countries that respect the will of the people, the sovereignty of the Syrian state and the unity of its territory," the administration said.

 Jordan has previously called for a shift towards reconstruction in Syria to curb drug smuggling, arms trafficking and terrorism. 

With 1.3 million Syrian refugees within its borders, the Kingdom had emphasised that the solution to the refugee crisis depends on their voluntary return to Syria.

Also, the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) has recently dispatched a humanitarian aid convoy to Syria upon His Majesty King Abdullah's directives, where this initiative reflects Jordan's ongoing commitment to supporting the Syrian people during difficult times. 

The convoy, the first under Jordan's humanitarian response strategy, comprised 10 trucks loaded with 200 tonnes of essential supplies, including food parcels and critical relief items to meet the needs of families affected by the crisis. 

Syrians on Monday felt cautious optimism despite the uncertain future. The day followed the takeover of Damascus by opposition forces and President Bashar Al Assad's departure to Russia, ending a 13-year long crisis and over 50 years of the Assad family rule.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to  follow up on the discussions held earlier in the day between His Majesty King Abdullah and Blinken in Aqaba.

The talks, held in Aqaba, focused on efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza, ensure the swift and adequate delivery of humanitarian aid across the besieged Strip, and address developments in Syria, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The two top diplomats also discussed bilateral relations, ways to enhance them, and several issues of mutual interest. 

Both officials stressed their support for an inclusive Syrian-led political transition to establish a regime that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people, respects their will, guarantees their rights, and sets Syria on the path towards security and stability. 

They reiterated the importance of respecting Syria's unity, cohesion, and sovereignty and enhancing efforts to combat terrorism. 

Safadi stressed that Syria's security and stability are essential for regional security, necessitating joint efforts to support an inclusive political process based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and to assist the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations.

He called for building a regime that respects the rights of all Syrians, restores Syria's stability and sovereignty, eradicates terrorism, and enables the voluntary return of refugees.

Safadi also denounced Israel's occupation of Syrian territories, underscoring the need for Israel to withdraw immediately and respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

SHONEH — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan today held the “Safe Pathways for Youth and Women through Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI)” event in the Jordan Valley. #

This comes as part of the newly launched “Safe Pathways for ‘at-risk’ Youth and Women in Jordan” project, which is being supported by the Government of Japan to capitalise on the unique socio-cultural ecosystem and development opportunities that exist in the Jordan Valley, according to a statement for The Jordan Times. 

By targeting the Jordan Valley, the event recognises the region’s distinct cultural heritage and the potential for Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) to serve as alternative safe pathways for community development. Moreover, it aligns with UNDP’s Jordan Valley Green Economic Corridor flagship initiative, a comprehensive development portfolio in the area worth over USD 1.1 billion. 

The event, which was organised in collaboration with "iDare for Sustainable Development", a leading NGO in youth engagement and innovation, began at the South Shoneh Chamber of Commerce, where stakeholders and official representatives, including the Head of Economic and Development Cooperation from the Japanese Embassy, Higuchi Masatoshi, shared their insights about the project’s alignment with Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (2022-2033). 

Discussions also focused on the integration of CCIs into national strategies and showcased key initiatives such as vocational training and a digital learning platform. Participants then toured the Jordan Valley Development Association for the second part of the event, which featured youth-led interactive sessions, offering hands-on experiences in creative fields, namely 3D printing, media content creation, green CCIs, and other innovative pathways in the creative economy, the statement said. 

The event also included a presentation of research findings on the needs and opportunities for CCIs in the Jordan Valley, which will pave the way for the next phase of the project to accelerate the region’s growth and innovation. Commenting on the project in a written message, Okuyama Jiro, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, stated “Given the high unemployment rate among youth, especially young women, and the increase in drug-related cases, the Government of Japan recognises the importance of protecting and empowering vulnerable individuals in the Jordan Valley. 

Through targeted initiatives such as vocational training, digital literacy, and creative livelihood opportunities, this project serves as a vital step toward addressing these challenges and advancing the goals of Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision.” For her part, Randa Aboul-Hosn, the UNDP Jordan Resident Representative, emphasised that “Creative and Cultural Industries represent a powerful tool for economic empowerment. By engaging youth and women in these industries, we are not only addressing socio-economic challenges but also unlocking their potential to drive sustainable development.” 

The event brought together representatives from the Embassy of Japan, UNDP, local governments, private sector organizations, community-based organizations, media, and young men and women aged 18–30 from the Jordan Valley, according to the statement.

AMMAN — The Sustainable Wastewater Management Project aims to improve and expand wastewater services throughout the Kingdom, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abul Saud said on Thursday.

The Cabinet recently approved a €60 million loan to improve wastewater services nationwide, funded by the German government through the German Development Bank (KfW). 

Abu Saud described the initiative as an important step towards developing environmental and wastewater management systems across the Kingdom. It aims to extend sanitation services to underserved areas, provide centralised sanitation systems for all citizens, and reduce reliance on cesspits, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

These efforts will address public health concerns, improve environmental conditions, and strengthen Jordan's resilience to climate change, he added.

Highlighting that the project is part of Jordan's broader strategy to develop non-conventional water resources, he said that treated wastewater, a renewable resource, will play a central role by supporting limited agricultural activities and industrial applications that require large amounts of water. It will also help replenish groundwater reserves with safe, treated water.

Currently, Jordan operates 31 advanced wastewater treatment plants that treat more than 200 million cubic metres per year. Of this, more than 195 million cubic metres is reused for limited agriculture, providing significant economic benefits to farmers and livestock producers, the minister noted.

The new initiative will expand the reuse of treated water at the South Amman treatment plant and build new networks to connect underserved areas. Key components include the completion of several network phases in southwest Amman and the connection of unserved homes and properties to centralised sewerage systems.

The project will help maximise the use of treated wastewater for irrigation, while meeting international standards and ensuring efficient and sustainable water use. However, Abul Saud emphasised that such progress requires substantial financial resources that are beyond national capabilities, underlining the importance of international support.

Abu Saud praised the German government and its financial institutions for their role as major contributors to Jordan's water sector. He also acknowledged the continued support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union, describing their contributions as critical to advancing Jordan's environmental and water management goals.

This initiative represents a significant milestone in Jordan's efforts to address its water challenges, improve public health, promote environmental sustainability and ensure access to efficient sanitation services for all.

AMMAN — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan and Yves Joicouiero, the Regional Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) for the Middle East, signed a development policy loan agreement to support the implementation of the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap. 

The loan, amounting to €150 million, will support the public sector through the general budget, according to a ministry statement.

The signing ceremony was attended by the French Ambassador to Jordan, Alexis Le CourGrandmaison. The programme focuses on three key priorities within the Public Sector Modernization Roadmap, including enhancing governance, supporting the restructuring of certain government institutions, and improving human resource management systems and institutional capacities, the statement said. 

Toukan expressed the Jordanian government's gratitude to the French government, represented by AFD, for its continuous support to Jordan as a key development partner over the years, according to the statement. 

Joicouiero, emphasized that the funding is part of the agency's ongoing efforts to help Jordan overcome institutional, economic, and social challenges. AFD also announced a €1 million grant under this programme for technical support and capacity building.

This loan is part of the financial ceiling provided by the fifth memorandum of understanding signed with AFD, outlining development cooperation between the two sides for the years 2023-2026, the statement said.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, in a phone call received from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday, said Syrians must prioritise their country’s interests in the coming phase, reaffirming that Jordan respects their choices.

His Majesty highlighted the importance of preserving Syria's security, stability and institutions, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King also stressed the need to step up international efforts to stop the Israeli war on Gaza, and increase humanitarian aid while ensuring its uninterrupted delivery.

His Majesty warned of the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, including extremist settler attacks on Palestinians and violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, the statement said.

Turning to the situation in Lebanon, the King called for ensuring the success of the ceasefire.

The call also covered relations between Jordan and Germany, and means of enhancing cooperation across various fields