Day: February 3, 2026

Amman: A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Middle East Economics and Finance Center visited the FinTech Academy (FTA) Jordan to review the academy’s experience in financial technology and emerging technologies.

According to Jordan News Agency, the IMF-affiliated center, which targets 22 member countries of the Arab League and is hosted and funded by Kuwait, is part of the IMF’s global network of regional capacity development centers, which includes 17 regional hubs.

Academy Director General Riad Al-Hindawi stated that the visit reflects growing confidence in the academy’s role as a national and regional institution specializing in capacity building and fostering innovation in the financial sector. He explained that the visit is an important milestone for enhancing cooperation, particularly in developing specialized training programs and practical workshops in financial technology and emerging technologies, supporting digital transformation, and improving human resource efficiency in the banking and financial sectors.

The visit included meetings and discussions, during which prospects for cooperation were reviewed, including the development and implementation of specialized training programs and practical workshops on fintech and its applications in banking and finance. Additionally, qualitative initiatives aimed at building capacities and enhancing financial and digital literacy at national and regional levels were launched.

The academy affirmed its commitment to continue its role as a regional center of excellence in financial training and innovation, and to strengthen strategic partnerships that contribute to preparing qualified personnel capable of leading the future of the banking and financial sectors in the region.

Amman: The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on Tuesday organized a workshop to launch the preparation process of the “Third Voluntary National Review (VNR 2026)” of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, in the presence of United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan Sheri Ritsema-Anderson and representatives of ministries, the private sector, civil society organizations, youth, women and persons with disabilities, UN agencies, and relevant international organizations, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

According to Jordan News Agency, Marwan Rifai, Secretary General of the Ministry, affirmed Jordan’s commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda since 2015, noting that the report constitutes a comprehensive evaluation tool for national efforts and an opportunity to draw a clear roadmap through 2030. He explained that the preparation of the report comes at an important time, coinciding with the government’s launch of economic and administrative modernization programs, the social protection strategy, and the digital transformation roadmap, which represent the national framework for action in the coming years.

He stressed the role of international partnerships in supporting Jordan in addressing challenges, calling on working teams to coordinate and provide accurate data in cooperation with government entities, the private sector, civil society, and UN agencies, to ensure the preparation of a comprehensive report that reflects the aspirations of all partners.

For her part, UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan Sheri Ritsema-Anderson said that despite complex pressures, Jordan continues to choose to move forward rather than retreat, affirming that the 2026 Voluntary National Review will demonstrate on the UN’s global platform that external shocks will not constrain its development ambitions. She praised Jordan’s disciplined commitment to moving at a faster, smarter, and more coordinated pace toward a prosperous future, and its keenness to involve relevant ministries, civil society organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, women, youth, local authorities, and development partners in shaping the future path. She stressed that achieving further progress on the Sustainable Development Goals before 2030 remains possible and that it is not too late.

The workshop featured a presentation on ongoing preparations for the report, its priorities and methodology, in addition to a brief review of previous national reports (2017 and 2022) and the voluntary local review, conducted in Amman and Irbid.

Amman: President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) Prince Mired bin Raad bin Zeid and Italy’s Ambassador, Luciano Pezzotti, have signed a cooperation agreement to implement a strategic national project aimed at transforming Jordan’s mental health sector.

According to Jordan News Agency, the agreement aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, launching a 24-month national initiative to promote an inclusive, rights-based approach to mental health for persons with psychosocial disabilities. During the signing ceremony, Prince Mired highlighted the significance of Jordan’s partnership with Italy, emphasizing the agreement as a pivotal step toward developing Jordan’s mental health system in accordance with human rights principles and a community-based, inclusive approach, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Prince Mired stated that the strategic cooperation with Italy, inspired by the pioneering experience of the city of Trieste, positions Jordan to become a regional leader in mental health policy and service development. The project aims to address longstanding gaps in access to services, autonomy, informed consent, stigma reduction, and service quality for persons with psychosocial disabilities, who often face compounded challenges and social exclusion.

The initiative plans to apply international best practices through a strategic partnership with the city of Trieste, Italy, recognized globally for its community-based mental health care model. Over the course of two years, the project will focus on reviewing and developing legislation, policies, and the national mental health strategy. It will also strengthen sector capacity through training programs for 130 primary healthcare workers and 30 mental health professionals, organize a high-level government study visit to Trieste, and develop informed consent tools, standard operating procedures, and ethical frameworks for outpatient services.

Targeted rehabilitation works will improve accessibility in several outpatient mental health clinics at Princess Basma Hospital. National anti-stigma campaigns, awareness activities, and community inclusion workshops will be implemented to enhance public understanding and reduce discrimination. Approximately 500 individuals are expected to benefit directly from the project, while more than 2,000 will benefit indirectly. In the long term, the initiative aims to improve outcomes for over 200,000 people with mental and psychosocial disabilities by establishing a more inclusive, decentralized, and rights-based national mental health system.

Ambassador Pezzotti expressed Italy’s pride in collaborating with Jordan to develop a mental health system grounded in inclusion and human rights, in line with international standards. He stressed Italy’s commitment to the values of human dignity, independence, and social inclusion for all. The partnership reflects a shared belief that mental health is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development.

As the national body legally mandated to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in Jordan, the HCD will lead project coordination, policy guidance, and implementation monitoring, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Royal Medical Services, World Health Organization partners, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and technical partners from the city of Trieste. The collaboration, supported by the Italian Agency For Development Cooperation (AICS), underscores the shared commitment of Jordan and Italy to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, advancing inclusive public services, and building sustainable, community-based national mental health systems.

New york: UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres emphasized Tuesday that the two-state solution remains the only feasible way to achieve a just and lasting peace.

According to Jordan News Agency, Guterres made his remarks at the opening session of the committee on the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people for this year. He underscored the importance of upholding and respecting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, calling it a fundamental reality.

He referenced the New York Declaration and the Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution as clear platforms and pathways for progress, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is “lasting change on the ground.”

Guterres highlighted the severe suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where over 500 people have been killed since last October. He also raised concerns about the rapid pace of settlement expansion and demolitions, noting that more than 37,000 Palestinians were displaced in 2025, a year marked by unprecedented levels of settler violence.

He expressed alarm over Israel’s plans to build 3,401 housing units in the “E1” area, warning that such developments would separate the northern and southern West Bank regions, compromising territorial contiguity for Palestinians.

The Secretary-General cited the International Court of Justice’s opinion labeling Israel’s presence in the occupied territories as “illegal.” He also expressed “deep concern” regarding reports from the Human Rights Commission that document systemic racial discrimination in Israel’s administration of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Baghdad: Chair of the Amman and Jordan chambers of industry Fathi Jaghbier stated that Iraq is a key economic partner due to its long-standing historical ties with Jordan, and opportunities for private sector cooperation are broad and can enhance industrial integration. Jaghbier made these remarks during his meeting with Iraqi Minister of Trade Atheer Ghurairi in Baghdad on the sidelines of the 49th Baghdad International Fair.

According to Jordan News Agency, Jordan’s private sector is keen to base its economic relations with Iraq on integration, recognizing Iraq as an important trade partner. Jordan and Iraq have several trade and economic agreements and memoranda of understanding, including the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement of 1980 and the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2009, which provide a framework to strengthen relations.

Jaghbier highlighted the importance of strengthening trade exchange through joint projects and encouraging business participation in trade fairs, as well as increasing visits by economic delegations. In response, Iraqi Minister Ghurairi called for expanding economic partnerships and activating communication channels between the public and private sectors. He noted the pivotal role of the Baghdad International Fair in fostering economic openness and building sustainable trade relations with other countries.