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AMMAN — Jordan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on Monday signed a project agreement to improve business environment and small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) competitiveness in Jordan over the next three years, a ministry statement said.

The agreement, which was signed by Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah and UNIDO’s regional representative Cristiano Pasini, aims to increase Jordan’s private sector contribution to job creation and promote economic inclusion of youth and women by supporting the development of competitive SMEs. 

Qudah noted that the project responds to the needs of the industrial sector in Jordan, and is aligned with “Jordan Vision 2025, the recently adopted industrial policy 2017-2021, and the Royal initiative for economic growth plan 2018-2022”, according to the statement.

He praised the relationship between Jordan and UNIDO, which contributed to supporting the Kingdom on its path towards development. 

The minister said that the three-year project is structured along two main components. The first one aims at developing an information system on the industrial sector by designing an “Industrial Intelligence Observatory” that supports the production of evidence, based industrial and market intelligence analysis.  

The second component will focus on enhancing investment and market opportunities, in four selected value-chain drivers of job creation (including self -employment) for youth and women, in both urban and rural regions, according to the statement. 

“The minister of industry, trade and supply of Jordan asked UNIDO to develop a project to support the competitiveness of industrial SMEs with a special focus on supporting job creation for youth and women,” Pasini was quoted in the statement as saying. “We would like to encourage the international communities to contribute to this important project which will help to expand industrial production and foster inclusive and sustainable industrial development [ISID],” he added.

A specialised UN agency, UNIDO promotes ISID through the development of clusters in cultural and creative industries, the promotion of women empowerment, the support to green industry and the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements such as the Montreal protocol and the Stockholm convention. 

Since 2014, UNIDO has been also providing livelihood support to vulnerable rural communities in Jordan affected by the influx of Syrian refugees, the statement concluded.

AMMAN — Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, ruler of the Emirate of Ajman and a member of the UAE Supreme Council of the Union, on Monday visited the Emirati-Jordanian camp and hospital where he opened clinics at the medical centre.

Sheikh Humaid praised the efforts exerted by the employees at the hospital and camp and the level of services presented to the Syrian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The sheikh and an accompanying delegation also toured the hospital to check on its equipment.

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and UN Secretary General Special Representative for Iraq Ján Kubiš on Monday discussed the latest developments in Iraq, especially the victories made against the Daesh terror group.

Safadi and Kubiš went over the efforts exerted to overcome the tensions between the Iraqi central government and the government of Kurdistan following the independence referendum, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The minister stressed the Kingdom's support to Iraq in its war against terrorism, voicing pride in the victories Baghdad achieved against terrorists. Kubiš acquainted Safadi with the UN efforts to end the tensions in Iraq after the referendum. Safadi highlighted the importance of solving the problem through dialogue based on the constitution, in a way that maintains the unity, stability and security of Iraq, which are necessary for achieving the national consensus and starting reconstruction. 

AMMAN — State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani on Monday warned that the misuse of social media outlets could "destabilise and divide societies", the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. During a lecture at the Royal Jordanian National Defence College, Momani discussed the importance of raising awareness on the dangers of spreading rumours and false news, especially in times of crises.

He stressed the need for these outlets to be used for the common good rather than to spread division, extremism and hate speech. 

BONN — Ongoing global negotiations at the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) in Bonn are “so far positive” and in favour of the demands of the Arab countries, according to a senior Arab diplomat.

Twenty-two Arab countries have announced a unified stance at the COP 23, describing the Paris Agreement as their foundation in the current negotiations and reaffirming the importance of sustaining and preserving the agreement’s elements.

At the COP 23, Arab countries are negotiating a “full and integrated package on financing, implementation of adaptation projects and transparency”, the diplomat, who requested to remain anonymous, said.

“We are demanding guidelines that cover all the elements of the Paris Agreement, including finance, implementation mechanisms, and provision of support as well as ensuring the transparency of all measures,” the diplomat, who is directly involved in the negotiations on behalf of the Arab countries, told The Jordan Times in an interview.

The Arab countries, which have been holding daily meetings throughout the conference, strongly underlined the need to link mitigation measures to financial support, demanding that the national differences for each Arab country be recognised when drafting out mitigation activities.

“So far, we are on the right track and progressing at the negotiations,” the Arab diplomat highlighted. He however noted that the path of the ongoing negotiations is not clear yet, as the first week of the conference concludes.

Diplomats, scientists and environmentalists from 195 countries on Monday started negotiations at the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to draft out operating guidelines for the Paris agreement.

The guidelines will detail how nations can reach and achieve goals announced at the Paris Agreement, which sets a target of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC — or 2ºC at the most— by the end of the century.

Ministry of Environment Secretary General Ahmad Qatarneh underlined that Jordan supports the Arab stance at COP 23, expressing hope that the conference concludes with clear guidelines on finance of adaptation and mitigation.

“We are in line with the collectively adopted Arab stance and we are negotiating our way to reach an integrated package by the year 2018, when the COP 24 will be held in Poland,” Qatarneh told The Jordan Times in an interview on the sidelines of the conference.

Delegates of the participating countries will be negotiating specific goals at COP 23, which is presided by Fiji, the first island nation to head a COP conference.

The delegates are expected to complete the structure for the implementation of the Paris Agreement to strengthen its impact and achieve its goals in order for countries that ratified the agreement to fulfil the commitments due in 2020 along with finance and mitigation pledges.

In addition to setting up guidelines that ensure that the agreement promotes transparency on action and support as well as resilience and adaptation, delegates at COP 23 will also be checking on the progress of the delivery of $100 billion of support for developing countries by 2020, and the bringing into force of the Doha Amendment of the first international emission reduction treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, according to the UNFCCC.

They also aim at drawing up international standards on how to measure carbon emissions in addition to how countries set new and more ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions post 2020.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday opened the Parliament's second ordinary session, where he delivered the Speech from the Throne.

In the speech, His Majesty started with commending the legislature’s performance during the past session, resulting in “the endorsement of a package of vital legislation encompassing several key sectors, in line with our keenness to develop the performance of the judiciary, enhance the rule of law and nurture the foundations of our civil state,” asserting that the government “must remain transparent, realistic and proactive, without hesitation”. 

He also expressed pride in the progress made to the democratisation process, especially the success of the local polls held in August, marking the start of the decentralisation process and a new style in local governance.  

On national priorities, the King said these “require the utmost engagement from this esteemed assembly in terms of oversight and legislation in the service of Jordanians”.   

 Following is the full text of his Majesty's speech: 

In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate, Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad, Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives, Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, In the name of God, and with His blessings, we inaugurate the second ordinary session of the 18th Parliament. 

At this key stage in our democratisation process marked by continued achievements we commend the efforts recently exerted by this esteemed assembly in cooperation with the government, which were characterised by constructiveness, and a spirit of responsibility and partnership.

This has resulted in the endorsement of a package of vital legislation encompassing several key sectors, in line with our keenness to develop the performance of the judiciary, enhance the rule of law, and nurture the foundations of our civil state. I urge you to continue with this approach of cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities.

As we stand today in this bastion of Jordanian democracy, we proudly recall Jordanians’ latest milestone of electing municipal and governorate councils, launching our experience in decentralisation as we strive towards cementing democracy and empowering local authorities to assume wider responsibilities in development-related decision making.

This achievement also reflects Jordan’s unique, steadfast and incremental reform model, to which Jordanians remain committed amidst unprecedented regional challenges.

Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives, 

The opening of the second ordinary session of this Parliament is an opportunity to highlight the urgent issues that were detailed in the government’s performance report for the past year and published in June, as well as in its policy statement, and in the last two Letters of Designation. These priorities require the utmost engagement from this esteemed assembly in terms of oversight and legislation in the service of Jordanians, whose security, dignity, and right to a better future are the goals of all exerted efforts.

In order to achieve these priorities, the government must work to implement the Jordan Economic Growth Plan over the coming years, endorsed to boost economic growth and to capitalise on all available regional and international opportunities to improve citizens’ standard of living, support the middle class and protect low-income families. The Government must also continue to implement the National Strategy for Human Resources Development and see through the e-government programme to transform into a paperless government.

I have constantly asserted that government must remain transparent, realistic and proactive, without hesitation.

With the phase of strategising and planning complete, the Government must now focus on effective implementation, for it is up to us to take matters into our own hands. No one will solve our problems but us. We must harness our will, potential, and energy to confidently and resolutely take on the challenges before us.

Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives, 

Our success in forging ahead on the path of growth and prosperity, and countering the forces of evil and the khawarej of this age would not have been possible without the unity and solidarity of Jordanians.

Here, let us also pay tribute to the relentless efforts of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies to safeguard the homeland, its prosperity and independence, day and night. To them, we give a salute of respect and appreciation for their sacrifices and heroisms, and we commit to supporting them to undertake their sacred duties.

Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives,

Jordan will continue to uphold its historical role as defender of the causes of our Arab and Muslim nations, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, with Jerusalem as its capital, as well as safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

I ask God Almighty to grant us the will and determination to fulfil our responsibilities and serve our beloved people, country, and Ummah.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

AMMAN — Guinean President Alpha Condé, who is currently on an official visit to Jordan, on Sunday called on the Kingdom’s private sector to get acquainted with investment and trade opportunities in his home country.

During an economic forum organised by the Amman Chamber of Industry, Condé stressed his country’s keenness to establish investment and trade relations with Jordan and provide incentives for Jordanian companies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He stressed that Guinea can also function as a hub for Jordanian businesspeople in Africa. For his part, State Minister for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh said that the African market is a priority for the Jordanian industrial sector as part of its efforts to open new markets for the Kingdom’s products.  

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday met with UK Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, Safadi and Burt discussed means to boost UK-Jordanian relations and outlined the latest regional developments, especially the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the Syrian crisis.

The two ministers stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to reach political solutions for the regional crises. The meeting also addressed the burdens borne by Jordan due to hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

Burt expressed his country’s appreciation for Jordan’s role in helping the refugees and improving their livelihoods. 

AMMAN — UK Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt, accompanied by Education Minister Omar Razzaz and British Ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden on Sunday visited Aisheh Bent Talha Elementary School in Jabal Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Burt voiced the British government’s appreciation of Jordan’s efforts in improving the access to education for all public school students and refugee students from all nationalities.

He stressed the UK’s commitment to support Jordan in implementing the Jordan Response Plan.

AMMAN — “With the expansion of urbanisation and modernisation, people have become disconnected from their heritage and their local communities. They have turned blind to what they already have,” said Lama Khatieb, co-founder of the Jordanian social enterprise, Zikra, an award winner. 

“This is where Zikra comes in: We help people reach out to these skills, knowledge and culture that they already have,” she told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The Jordanian social enterprise was recently awarded the UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for its “Popular Learning Programme”, during a ceremony held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris earlier this month.

The programme aims to enhance local knowledge in various communities in Jordan and in the region by reframing them into sustainable economic opportunities.

“We already have so many assets and knowledge in society. We just need to cultivate them and remind people that they exist,” Khatieb said, citing one of the projects focused on the local practice of frash, a sewing technique used by the local communities in the north of Jordan. 

Frash consists of re-using the fabrics from the household and turns them into blankets, curtains or other items.

“We are not importing any knowledge, people were already using that technique when we arrived and we only helped them develop this skill into a viable economic project,” the co-founder said, noting that the project, which started at a very small scale in 2011, now counts 5 to 6 projects in different governorates.

To date, more than 8,500 people have participated in Zikra for Popular Learning, with 280 youth being trained and 60 individual households economically empowered.

“We also invite youth from the region to train them in replicating the same initiative in their home countries. We have seen projects being implemented in Syria, Tunisia, Algeria, among others,” Khatieb noted. 

In addition to the UNESCO awarded initiative, Zikra (or “memory” in Arabic) is also conducting a number of projects aimed at promoting "alternative learning" to empower local communities. 

Starting in 2007 in the remote and marginalised village of Ghor Al Mazra’a in the southern Jordan Valley, Zikra was established by Amman-based entrepreneur Rabee Zureikat, who wanted to find alternative ways to alleviate poverty.

“I did not want to give through the usual forms of charity, going from the capital to the rural areas, which is often demeaning to the receiving party. This is how I came up with the idea of ‘exchange tourism’,” Zureikat explained. 

The “exchange tourism” is an initiative that promotes equity between rural and urban communities through cultural exchange.

“We want to bridge these two communities together by promoting alternative learning techniques whereby people reconnect with their local culture and traditions. Zikra aims to empower them to use their local heritage as a source of inspiration for sustainable solutions to their issues,” he explained.

With Zikra, both sides give and receive: while Ammanites — and tourists — contribute with a small fee of around JD30, villagers bring their own resources to the table: skills.

Mazra’a residents invite the visitors into their homes, where they show them how to cook, weave, bake bread, pick fruit, while listening to stories by the locals. 

“I used to pass this area on my way to Aqaba by car without stopping. I discovered how simple life is here and how complicated our life is in Amman,” a young professional from Amman told Zukeirat after a day trip to Ghor Al Mazra’a.

“We strive to bridge the gap of memory, by showing everyone that knowledge and skills from the past can still be useful nowadays,” Khatieb said.

For its part, the popular music identity project seeks to re-discover the traditional music instruments such as nay, shabbaba, yarghoul (all indigenous pipe instruments) and rababa (bedouin violin) and traditional dances like dabkeh, at a time when a Westernised culture is dominating the Jordanian musical scene.

In this project, visitors learn how to make their own instruments from local natural resources like reeds, play the instrument and explore the stories behind it. 

The self-funded programme aims to go against existing social systems by using local capacities to progress towards a more egalitarian, inclusive society, according to its founders. “The tourism revenues generated by the initiative is reinvested in the marginalised communities’ economic development, through microloans to local entrepreneurs, preferably females, which helps narrow the socioeconomic gap,” Zukeirat said.

A statement by the UNESCO quoted the international committee that selected Zikra for the award as saying: “This exemplary project demonstrates a creative and dynamic response to local issues through using innovative approaches to learning which recognise and affirm existing strengths, cultures and traditions in communities and countries in the region, bringing these to bear on difficult social, economic and environmental challenges towards greater sustainability.”

Zikra and its founders have also been awarded the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Innovation and Achievement, the Ashoka fellowship and a special recognition by His Majesty King Abdullah at the World Economic Forum in Jordan. Zureikat was also listed by Arabian Business Magazine as one of the “Top 30 Under 30”.