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AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma, president of the Jordanian Association of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, on Monday underlined the central role of the Jordanian girl guides and boy scouts movement in promoting volunteerism across the Kingdom, particularly their significant contribution to community service.

Presiding over the General Assembly and Executive Committee meeting, which was attended by Minister of Youth Mohammad Al Nabulsi, Princess Basma praised the Jordanian girl guides and boy scouts movement that institutes in promoting humanitarian values, through its ethical principles, which call for boosting appreciation and  respect for diverse opinions, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Princess Basma highlighted the role of the movement in raising awareness on multiple issues and combating bad trends, commending the dedication of the movement’s staffs in government schools, private institutions, universities and youth centres for their commitment to elevating the movement and instilling humane and noble values in its members.

HRH called for advancing cooperation between various national institutions with the aim of supporting Jordanian girl scouts and boy guides movement, increasing its membership and strengthening the association’s role in serving the national movement and its members.

In response, Nabulsi expressed the ministry’s commitment to cooperate with the association towards supporting the Jordanian girl scouts and boy guides movement, and boost the partnership between the association and the higher committee for voluntary work in the service of scouting and guiding activities.

Mazen Al Hamoud, the association’s secretary general, highlighted the achievements as outlined in the 2019-2023 National Strategy for the Scouts and Guides Movement, including awareness raising activities, training and volunteering by members, which totalled 22,110 working hours with 3,250 volunteers, in addition to 2,914 service and awareness activities, as well as the establishment of national policies in line with global requirements.

AMMAN — As winter arrives in the besieged Gaza, worsening living conditions for the 1.8 millioninternally displaced people with no walls to protect them from the cold and rain, a group of mothers in Jordan have joined forces to knit and crochet warm clothes for children in Gaza.   

The initiative, called “Gaza’s Warmth”, was launched by the local non-profit association, Al Bosla for Art and Culture, in cooperation with the Jordan Handicrafts Producers Association. 

President of Al Bosla for Art and Culture, Lamees Barghouthi noted that the initiative comes as part of the “Our Craft in the Service of Our Cause” project. 

It springs from the desire of all members of the Jordanian community to do what they can to support people in Gaza, who are undergoing what amounts to“genocide” under Israeli bombardment, Barghouthi said. 

She explained that this initiative is a symbolic gesture; an expression of motherly love and warmth. 

“Each hand-knitted item is made with care to deliver a message to children in Gaza from their mothers in Jordan, saying: we love you and we are with you,” said Barghouthi. 

There are currently around 300 participants in this initiative working from various parts of the Kingdom, she added, noting that the association is also holding training workshops for those who wish to participate and don’t know how to knit or crochet. 

People can also support this initiative through providing participants, who lack financial means, with the needed tools and yarn or donating cash to the association, which buys these supplies at discounted prices from traders who wish to support the initiative, according to Barghouthi.

She said that all individuals and civil society organisations are invited to take part in this initiative; “working together allows us to achieve our goal in meeting the needs of our children in Gaza faster and more efficiently”. 

Mothers are also encouraged to attach a hand-written note directed to the child who will receive the item she knitted and, if possible, a toy, she added. 

All items delivered to the association will be wrapped and sent to Gaza through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), Barghouthi. 

She further noted that the “Our Craft in the Service of Our Cause” project also included conducting training workshops for the creation of porcelain artworks, portraying the “resistance” of Palestinian people. 

Participants included 105 people from all age groups and categories, including eight-year-old children and over 70-year-old grandmothers, noted Barghouthi. 

She said that the training was held at the Arabesque Ceramics and Mosaics workshop, whose owner, Raed Al Badri, provided the needed material and supervised the training along with his employees. 

The revenue from the sold porcelain items will also be donated to support the health sector in Gaza, Barghouthi added. 

AMMAN — Environment Minister Muawieh Radaideh on Sunday underscored the need for concerted efforts to strengthen adaptation and enhance the world's resilience to climate change, particularly the most vulnerable communities.

Addressing the global stock-take meeting, held on the sidelines of the Dubai-hosted United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, Radaideh highlighted the current climate change-related challenges facing Jordan, including rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, increased droughts and one third of the population seeking refuge from regional conflicts.

This influx has overburdened the existing limited natural resources, fragile ecosystems and infrastructure, he was quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra as saying.
Radaideh also highlighted the “Climate/Refugee Nexus Initiative " launched by His Majesty King Abdullah at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-27) in Sharm El Sheikh last year. Garnering support from 58 countries to date, the initiative is a key solution for relief, recovery and peace, and will be formally launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-28).

The minister also provided a comprehensive overview of the latest national climate change adaptation policies, plans and projects.

Attaching importance to the urgency of addressing the adaptation financing gap in developing countries, Radaideh called for focusing on infrastructure projects, technology transfer and capacity building to effectively manage the impacts of climate change.These initiatives are not only critical responses to climate change, but also opportunities for investment, job generation, innovation, entrepreneurship and the achievement of climate and economic development goals for developing countries, he said.

Radaideh commended the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, highlighting its crucial role in initiating a fund to address the losses and damages caused by climate change. This remarkable step saw the UAE contribute $100 million to the fund, in addition to similar contributions from Germany and other nations.

AMMAN — Health Minister FirasHawari called for adopting "open policies" for safer and flexible global health systems.

Participating in the health day event at the UN Climate Change COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Hawari said that facing climate change impacts necessitatescollaboration across all sectors in every country.

Enhancing financial and technical support to the health sector and improving its infrastructure will facilitate its ability to address, recognise and manage health issues related to climate change, he added, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Speaking at the first-ever Health Day at a UN Climate Change COP 28, Hawari saidthat Jordan has previously committed to international agreements and initiatives aimed at establishing health systems more resilient to climate change effects.

Hawari also reiterated Jordan's support to the world efforts to combat climate change impacts.  

Hawari also noted that the Jordanian health sector announced that it is currently developing strategies to raise the health sector's resilience and adaptability to the effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

He added that the Health Ministry is developing a ten-year health adaptation strategy based on a 2012 strategy review, its implementation of which faced two main challenges, the influx of Syrian refugees and the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years.

Hawari said that the new strategy will focus on local and international stakeholders’ engagement, evaluationexpansion to include not only health facilities contributions in climate change, but also their resilience in facing climate-related-consequences, he said.  

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh on Sunday met with a group of Jordanian entrepreneurs in Dubai, representing Jordanian companies specialising in sustainability and environmental protection, who were attending the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28).

During the meeting, which was also attended by Environment Minister Muawieh Radaideh, the Premier expressed the government's commitment to supporting SMEs and emphasised the importance of finding solutions to the environmental challenges facing Jordan and the region, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

"Despite Jordan's limited natural and financial resources, it has a creative human capital," Khasawneh said, reaffirming the government's commitment to fostering innovation and creativity.

He also highlighted the creative solutions presented by these companies in the areas of smart agriculture, clean energy, water management, carbon markets and integrated waste management.

Recognising the financial obstacles faced by these companies, Khasawneh acknowledged their efforts to seek support from neighbouring countries for expansion and expressed his encouragement for such initiatives.

He also highlighted the government's efforts to support start-ups, noting that legislative frameworks, licences and financial mechanisms have been developed to support start-ups and SMEs, according to Petra.

Khasawneh said that discussions are taking place with partners, including the UAE, to establish financial channels to support business growth.

He also said that supporting green growth and sustainable resources is among the major components of the Economic Modernisation Vision.

Citing Jordan's environment protection achievements, he said that 18.6 per cent of all vehicles in Jordan are hybrid or electric, outperforming various European countries with strict environmental regulations.

He added that 27 per cent of the electricity mix comes from clean energy sources and is expected to reach 31 per cent, a "commendable percentage compared with other nations".

AMMAN — Chief Commissioner of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission and Chairman of Arab Civil Aviation Organisation (ACAO) Haitham Misto on Sunday underscored the importance of the 68th session of the organisation’s executive council in coordinating member states' stances with international forums. Misto made the remarks while chairing the ACAO two-day meeting in Riyadh, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He added that discussions focused on implementing recommendations by ACAO's technical committees, addressing critical areas such as air transport, air navigation, air safety, aviation security and environmental concerns. The meeting addressed organisational and financial aspects in relation to the organisation's operations, sustainable aviation fuel and the third Aviation Alternative Fuel Conference key outcomes, held in Dubai earlier in the year.

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi and his Emirati counterpart, Saqr Ghobash, stressed on Sunday the importance of intensifying efforts to halt the war against Gaza. Safadi and Ghobash, during a meeting in Dubai, stressed the importance of pan-Arab parliamentary work to defend the justice of the Palestinian's cause and push forward the two-state solution, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. They also stressed the importance of Jordanian-Emirati parliamentary coordination in the interest of the two countries and "our nation’s central issues". Safadi conveyed best wishes of further progress and development to the Emirati people, and offered congratulations on the occasion of the 52nd UAE National Day.  Ghobash expressed his country's high appreciation for the Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and his positions in supporting the Arab and Islamic nations.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Sunday discussed investment opportunities in green hydrogen and green ammonia with CEOs of leading international companies. 

Khasawneh held separate meetings with Fortesco CEO Mark Hutchinson and Enertrag CEO Gunar Hering during his participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.

The discussions focused on the proposed investments by both companies in the Kingdom, particularly in the fields of green hydrogen and green ammonia, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister underscored Jordan's keenness in expanding its renewable energy infrastructure and investments, citing the Kingdom's “increased reliance” on renewables, which accounted for 27 per cent of its electrical energy by the end of 2022. 

He expressed the government's support for these investments in the emerging global industry, highlighting Jordan's ambition to become a key regional hub for green hydrogen production.

Khasawneh emphasised the significance of these investments in fostering economic development and creating job opportunities for the youth in Jordan.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said previously that Jordan is using its full capacity to produce more renewable energy to meet local needs and export green energy, in the form of both electricity and green hydrogen.

He added that the Kingdom is close to completing the national strategy for green hydrogen.

More than 70,000 delegates are expected to attend COP28, including business leaders, young people, climate scientists, journalists, and various other experts and stakeholders.

AMMAN — The 23rd Olive Festival recorded sales of JD2.8 million, with over 174 tonnes of olives purchased, Director General of the National Centre for Agricultural Research (NARC) Nizar Haddad said on Sunday. 

The 10-day festival was organised by the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Haddad revealed that the festival hosted 890 participants and exhibitors, primarily women who are family breadwinners, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

In solidarity with Palestinians, the NARC suspended art and cultural activities, Haddad said, noting that the festival featured projects from the Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubator, special pavilions for development partners, and the collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and multiple local and international entities. 

These efforts were directed towards improving networking opportunities for small farmers, establishing connections with emerging agricultural and innovative companies, accessing financing funds, and exploring options for payment and e-marketing, he said. 

In 2022, the festival displayed the products of over 500 participants, welcomed approximately 250,000 visitors, and brought in a total revenue exceeding JD3 million. 

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan and Mutah University on Sunday signed an agreement where the university is to provide technical services to the FAO headquarters in Amman.

Under the agreement eight women will be trained in the field of climate change adaptation to become “Climate Wise Women Agents”, according to a statement from FAO Jordan. 

The agreement was signed by Nabil Assaf, Representative of FAO in Jordan and Muhammad Daoud Al Majali, vice president for academic affairs at Mutah University. 

The agreement is within the framework of “Building resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector” project (BRCCJ), which is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by FAO in Jordan through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme.

The project aims to build climate change resilience in Jordan by improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector to help Jordan adapt to climate risks and change behaviour towards more efficient use of water resources, transfer knowledge and strengthen the capacity of communities and institutions in Jordan, water sustainability and respond to the needs of vulnerable groups, the statement said. 

During signing the agreement, Assaf stated that “FAO is implementing several projects in Jordan that include investing in women as drivers of solutions and agents of change, the most important of which is the BRCCJ project, which includes several activities, including the activity of establishing a cadre of climate wise women to be agents of change in the field of climate change adaptation”.

“As an important part of the implementation of this activity, FAO is honoured today to sign the agreement with Mutah University with the aim of obtaining technical assistance to develop a training manual on climate change adaptation and train eight agricultural engineers over a period of six months to become trainers specialised in training women on climate change adaptation, within the framework of establishing a cadre of a further 400 climate wise women to become agents of change in the field of climate change adaptation in the four project governorates [Madaba, Karak, Tafila and Ma’an],” Assaf added.

Majali said: “This project reflects a true partnership between various state institutions, FAO, and the United Nations Development Programme to coordinate national efforts concerned with climate change, stressing the importance of Jordan’s development partners, including United Nations agencies, continuing to support Jordan to enable it to meet international obligations related to addressing climate issues and reach the goals set in accordance with the strategies, plans and policies adopted by the Jordanian government under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah.”

He added: “Mutah University emphasises that this project will open new opportunities and horizons in priority areas, namely: Agriculture, water and environment, in addition to including a component for training women in rural areas to make them pioneers of change in the field of water use.”

The BRCCJ project, with a fund of $33.25 million is currently being implemented in the four targeted governorates in the Dead Sea Basin — Karak, Madaba, Tafila and Ma’an — that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and water stress caused by climate change. 

The people of these areas are highly dependent on rain-fed agriculture, rural poverty rates are high and residents require improved information and resources to adapt to climate change. 

As agents of change for climate change adaptation, women play a key role in project activities that reflect a gender-responsive approach to climate-smart agriculture, enhancing women’s access to resources and information that will enable them to adapt to climate change, protect their livelihoods and ensure their well-being, the statement read.