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AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met on Monday in Abu Dhabi with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for high-level talks that focused on deepening bilateral relations and addressing regional developments.

The two top diplomats affirmed the strength of the Jordanian-UAE relations and expressed their mutual commitment to expand cooperation in various fields in line with their common development goals and the aspirations of the citizens of both countries, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi and Sheikh Abdullah called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and urged full implementation of the recently brokered prisoner exchange agreement facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

They also explored ways to improve the coordination of humanitarian response, stressing the urgent need for unimpeded and timely delivery of aid throughout the Gaza Strip.

The two top diplomats reviewed broader regional challenges and agreed on the importance of concerted efforts to prevent the escalation of ongoing crises and to strengthen regional stability.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued consultation and coordination to address evolving threats and promote security throughout the region.

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani emphasised the crucial role of transparent and timely communication in fostering lasting trust between the government and its citizens.

Speaking at a panel discussion titled "Media and Government Communication: An Effective Partnership with Civil Society to Enhance Transparency and Trust," Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, highlighted that government communication should be grounded in the public’s right to access information and understand state policies.

The session was part of the Economic Modernisation Vision: A Partnership for the Jordan of the Future conference, opened by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shihadeh, who represented Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The conference is linked to the first phase of the Nazaha project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at promoting accountability and good governance, implemented by the Hayat Centre for Civil Society Development (Rased) with support from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Momani outlined key principles of the government’s communication strategy, which include transparency, public engagement, and integration with national media. He stressed that the state is committed to utilising both traditional and digital media, along with public forums, to ensure broad and inclusive communication.

He also noted that the government is in the process of drafting an executive programme for 2026-2029 as part of the economic modernisation vision. This programme will be developed through institutional engagement with stakeholders and civil society across all governorates.

On the issue of misinformation and media manipulation, Momani highlighted the government’s proactive response strategy, which includes clarifying misleading content and coordinating with ministries to address misinformation. He also pointed out that the government's media system, which involves spokespersons from all ministries, helps unify the state’s message and priorities.

Momani also stressed the importance of media literacy in combating fake news and hate speech. He referenced partnerships with the Ministry of Education and Jordanian universities to integrate media literacy into both school curricula and extracurricular activities. 

He also commended the Jordan Media Institute for its efforts, particularly its Media Literacy Academy, which was recently nominated for the Media and Information Literacy Award at the Mediterranean Forum for Journalism in Marseille.

Emphasising the critical role of youth, Momani said young people should be viewed not just as passive consumers of information but as active contributors to shaping the national discourse. "They are the new energy of communication," he stressed, pointing to government initiatives that engage youth in digital campaigns, public dialogues, and policy feedback.

Looking to the future, Momani said that the next step in government communication in Jordan involves developing a robust digital system, supported by artificial intelligence and data analytics, to monitor public opinion and enable real-time decision-making.

Responding to questions from the audience, Momani addressed the Palestinian cause, emphasising that support should come through tangible actions rather than symbolic gestures. He criticised recent calls for strikes as "political grandstanding" that ultimately do not serve the interests of the Palestinian people.

The minister also condemned offensive rhetoric targeting the Jordanian armed forces and security services, reaffirming Jordan’s unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause.

AMMAN — The Central Traffic Department (CTD) of the Public Security Directorate (PSD) on Tuesday announced that it will be using artificial intelligence to capture motorists who use their mobiles while driving on the Kingdom’s streets.

Under the slogan “Your lives matter”, the CTD used various media outlets to alert the public to the new AI procedures related to the use of mobiles while driving.

“Do not use your mobile while driving because it distracts your mind,” read one of the CTD messages on their Facebook pages.

“The use of mobiles increases the time to react to dangers and increases the possibilities of road accidents,” according to the CTD.

The fine imposed on motorists who use their mobile phones while operating a vehicle is JD50, according to the amended Traffic Law that was passed in September 2023.

Mohammad Zreaqat praised the CTD’s move, stating on their Facebook page: “Using the mobile is contributing to more traffic congestion and reckless driving by motorists”

“The situation is becoming unbearable and violating motorists should have their licenses revoked for one year,” Zreaqat wrote.

Zakaria Qudah added: “Indeed, the use of mobile phones by motorists has become a common scene in Jordan”.

This,  Qudah maintained, will surely “result in more accidents and the loss of lives”.

According to a 2023 report by the PSD, Jordan lost 560 individuals in over 170,000 traffic accidents last year.

The report indicated that there were 16469 injuries, including 826 people who were severely injured in 170,058 road accidents in 2023.

The report also said that the population of Jordan in 2023 was 11.5 million and the number of registered vehicles was 1,930,958.

The Kingdom witnessed 1.5 deaths and 45 injuries daily, according to the PSD report.

The PSD report also highlighted that human errors were attributed to 96.2 per cent of road accidents, while 2.6 per cent is attributed to road construction and 1.2 per cent to the vehicle itself.

AMMAN — Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh on Tuesday stressed that the government’s decisions are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Jordanians and fostering comprehensive economic growth.

Deputising for the prime minister at the National Dialogue Conference titled "The Economic Modernisation Vision: Partnership for Jordan’s Future," Shehadeh affirmed the government’s dedication to turning the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) into tangible results, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The conference, organised under the Nazaha Project with funding from the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, and implemented by the Hayat Rased Centre and Rasheed for Transparency International, provided a platform for civil society and government representatives to engage in dialogue.

Shehadeh highlighted the government’s efforts to exceed growth targets, noting that its policies prioritise quality of life, economic expansion, and sustainability. 

He also announced that the government in June is scheduled to start workshops with the private sector and civil society to create a four-year action plan, aligned with the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, featuring “clear timelines and measurable goals.”

Acknowledging the private sector’s “vital” role in attracting foreign investment, Shehadeh stressed that economic growth depends on public-private partnerships, underscoring the sector’s right to profit, access facilities, and contribute through taxation. 

He also noted that the prime minister’s visits to various governorates are part of a “strategic” mechanism to assess and evaluate progress, following Royal instructions.

Director General of the Hayat Centre Amer Bani Amer highlighted the importance of positive dialogue between civil society and the government for sustainable economic development. 

He referred to the centre’s policy paper on enhancing civil society’s role in the EMV as a way to support more effective participation in decision-making and implementation.

Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Miguel de Lucas González commended the “strong” bilateral relations and collaborative initiatives, noting that Spain’s development cooperation model prioritises civil society involvement, transparency and accountability.

Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to Jordan Adam Janssen reiterated the EU’s “long-standing” partnership with Jordan, describing civil society as the “cornerstone” of democratic participation and social progress. 

He said that the Nazaha Project represents a collaborative effort to improve social accountability and bridge the gap between citizens and the state, underscoring the importance of empowering civil society to influence policymaking and legislation.

The Hayat Rased Centre also presented a draft policy paper discussing civil society's role in implementing the EMV.

The paper, which was based on regional consultations, found that limited awareness among civil society groups has hindered their engagement with the EMV.

Participants identified key priorities, including addressing unemployment by promoting investment, simplifying administrative procedures, aligning education with labour market needs, supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs in underserved areas, ensuring tax fairness, and advancing major projects in energy and water sectors.

Civil society representatives also highlighted challenges such as “weak” legislative and administrative stability, “poor” coordination among stakeholders, rising public debt, inadequate financing, and a “lack” of transparency, all of which have impeded effective implementation and “eroded” public trust.

The paper recommended institutionalising civil society’s participation in decision-making through planning committees, holding regular national and local dialogues, improving legal frameworks to empower civil society, and enhancing transparency through joint oversight bodies and public reporting. 

It also called for enhancing internal governance in civil society organisations, improving communication with the government, and using advocacy tools such as public awareness campaigns and media engagement to promote shared development objectives.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, Egypt President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi, and France President Emmanuel Macron held a joint phone call with US President Donald Trump on Monday.

During the call, held on the margins of the trilateral summit in Cairo, the three leaders discussed with President Trump ways to urgently secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The three leaders underlined the need to immediately resume full access for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the release of all the hostages and detainees.

They also emphasised the need to create conducive conditions for a political horizon and mobilise international efforts to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, restore security and peace for all, and implement the two-state solution.

The three leaders and President Trump decided to remain in close coordination.

The phone call also covered the importance of accelerating peace efforts in Ukraine, consistent with international security and stability.

AMMAN — The third Global Disability Summit concluded on Thursday in Berlin with "tangible commitments" to advance disability inclusion. 

Persons with disabilities, who make up 15 per cent of the global population, approximately 1.3 billion people, are often left out of development projects. 

In response to this gap and the backdrop of shrinking aid for inclusion, the summit introduced a new goal: ensuring that at least 15 per cent of development projects at the country level focus on disability inclusion. 

This target is captured in the Amman-Berlin Declaration, which has been adopted by over 80 governments and organisations, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

Throughout the Summit, over 800 commitments were made by governments, private sector organisations, and development actors to enhance accessibility and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities. 

Co-hosted by the German Development Ministry, Jordan, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), the summit brought together 4,500 participants from nearly 100 countries, including persons with disabilities, government representatives and civil society leaders. 

Over the course of more than 60 sessions, discussions focused on strengthening the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and ensuring that commitments lead to actionable change.

At the opening ceremony, the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to disability inclusion, especially in a time when countries are cutting down on their inclusion funding. 

The chancellor committed to the 15 per cent target and announced a joint initiative on inclusive education with Jordan.

His Majesty King Abdullah called for ongoing commitment and action to ensure that all individuals can live with dignity, happiness and hope, stressing that inclusion is not merely about accessibility, but it is also about recognising the inherent potential in every human being and creating environments where everyone can contribute, the statement said.

IDA President Nawaf Kabbara stressed that true disability inclusion cannot be achieved unless Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are at the table where funding decisions are made, stressing that inclusion must be “with” OPDs, not “for” OPDs.

The Amman-Berlin Declaration sets a target that at least 15 per cent of development projects be specifically designed to promote disability inclusion.

Currently, only 6 per cent of development projects directly contribute to this goal. 

German Development Minister Svenja Schulze noted that development policy can only succeed when all stakeholders collaborate, highlighting that the Amman-Berlin Declaration is a global commitment, not just a promise from donor countries. 

She highlighted that true inclusion benefits not only the 15 per cent of people with disabilities, but society as a whole.

Several key initiatives were also announced during the summit. 

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office committed to launching an Assistive Technology Investment Vehicle through the AT2030 programme, aiming to raise $60 million by 2026, while co-chairing the Global Action on Disability Network to foster global partnerships for disability inclusion. 

UNICEF committed to allocating 10 per cent of its annual budget to children with disabilities by 2030, expanding data collection, and scaling inclusive education and protection systems in 50 countries. 

IDA pledged to strengthen OPDs in over 100 countries to influence policy, launch a leadership programme for 80 young persons with disabilities, and partner with the UN Global Disability Fund to advance the implementation of the CRPD in 50 countries.

In Jordan, 88 national organisations, including government bodies, civil society, academia, media, and the private sector, made 133 commitments to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. 

During a dedicated session, Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah announced five strategic, rights-based commitments, including a JD90-million investment by the Association of Banks in Jordan, banks operating in the country, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to enhance inclusive education and health services, and transform 250 public schools. 

These pledges highlight Jordan’s strong commitment to dignity, equality and the full participation of persons with disabilities, according to the statement.

A new partnership between Germany and the African Union was announced to strengthen organisations of persons with disabilities across Africa, with a focus on youth and women.

The multilateral education initiative Education Cannot Wait will collaborate with Germany, the UK, IDA, and the Girls’ Education Challenge to improve data collection and accountability for inclusive education in crisis-affected regions by 2028.

AMMAN — A joint communiqué was released at the conclusion of the trilateral summit held by His Majesty King Abdullah, Egypt President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi, and France President Emmanuel Macron in Cairo on Monday.

Following is the communiqué:

“Joint Jordanian-Egyptian-French Communiqué at the Conclusion of the Cairo Trilateral Summit

The leaders of Egypt, France and Jordan held a trilateral summit in Cairo on Monday, 7 April 2025, on the grave situation in Gaza.

In the context of the resumption of Israeli military strikes on Gaza, they called for an immediate return to the ceasefire, for the sake of the Palestinians to be protected and receive immediate and full humanitarian aid. They called for the implementation of the 19 January exchange deal guaranteeing the release of all hostages and detainees and ensuring security for all. Protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel as well as full access for the delivery of aid is an obligation under international law and international humanitarian law, and must be upheld, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The leaders expressed alarm at the increasingly deteriorating situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and urged a stop to all unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution and increase tensions. They also urged respect for the historical status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites.

The leaders expressed their rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land or any annexation of any Palestinian territory.

In this regard, the leaders called for an international endorsement of the reconstruction plan for Gaza adopted by the Arab Summit held in Cairo on 4 March, as well as by the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation on 7 March, and discussed its effective implementation when it comes to security and governance. Leaders underlined that governance and maintaining order and security in Gaza, as well as in all Palestinian territory, shall come solely under the authority of an empowered Palestinian National Authority, with strong regional and international support. They expressed their readiness to assist in this prospect, in coordination with partners, the statement said. 

They reiterated the need to articulate these efforts at the June conference to be chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, so as to build a clear political horizon for the implementation of the two-state solution.

They expressed support for the Gaza reconstruction conference that will be held soon in Cairo.

His Majesty King Abdullah and French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi for convening this meeting.”