Day: March 29, 2026

Amman: The Eastern Military Zone thwarted two attempts to smuggle a quantity of narcotics using electronically guided balloons early Saturday morning. Through surveillance, border guard units detected the balloons and dealt with the attempts, in coordination with security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Department.

According to Jordan News Agency, the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) stated that the seized substances were transferred to the relevant authorities to take further action.

Mexico city: Senate President Faisal Fayez met with Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ram³n de la Fuente to discuss ways to strengthen Jordan-Mexico relations.

According to Jordan News Agency, a Senate statement issued Saturday revealed that the meeting took place on the sidelines of Fayez’s participation in the 46th Annual Forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action and the 4th Meeting of the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the Oceans, held at the Mexican Senate in Mexico City. The discussions addressed developments in the Middle East.

Fayez proposed the establishment of a Jordanian-Mexican Business Council to facilitate direct communication between the business communities of both countries. He emphasized Jordan’s commitment to increasing trade exchange, promoting joint investments, and facilitating the movement of goods with Mexico.

Fayez provided an overview of the current situation in the Middle East, noting security and political tensions due to ongoing conflicts and the absence of a political horizon to resolve Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. He highlighted the serious threats posed by the Iranian-American-Israeli conflict to regional and global security and stability.

He discussed ongoing efforts by His Majesty King Abdullah II to promote regional security and stability in accordance with international resolutions and the UN Charter. Fayez emphasized the King’s engagement at regional and international levels to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and halt Israeli aggression.

Fayez warned of the dangers of continued escalation in the region and stated that Jordan would not allow itself to become a battleground for any party. He reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection of any aggression threatening its sovereignty or the security of Arab states.

He condemned attacks targeting Jordan and other Arab countries and urged the international community to work toward comprehensive de-escalation efforts that restore stability and promote peace. He called for ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, ensuring the delivery of aid, and achieving a just solution based on the two-state framework.

Fayez called for international support, including from Mexico, to achieve a just and lasting peace based on international legitimacy. He commended Mexico’s support for the two-state solution and the Hashemite custodianship over holy sites in Jerusalem.

In response, de la Fuente praised King Abdullah II’s leadership in maintaining Jordan’s stability amid regional challenges and acknowledged the Kingdom’s assistance in repatriating Mexican nationals from conflict zones. He expressed Mexico’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Jordan and activating agreements, and he pledged to continue consultations with Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi.

On the sidelines of the forum, Fayez also met with Syed Naveed Qamar, President of Parliamentarians for Global Action, to discuss enhancing Jordanian-Pakistani parliamentary relations. Talks covered regional developments, including the situation in Palestine.

Fayez commended Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions and called for continued coordination to promote regional stability. He reiterated Jordan’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at ending conflicts and enhancing regional security.

Fayez also engaged with Greek parliamentary representative Donisi Theodora, focusing on strengthening Jordanian-Greek parliamentary relations and coordinating positions on mutual interests within international parliamentary forums. The role of parliaments in reducing global tensions and resolving conflicts was addressed.

Parliamentarians for Global Action is an international non-profit network comprising over 1,300 parliamentarians from around 111 countries, promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law, peace, and international justice.

Amman: The Board of Directors of the Green Climate Fund has officially chosen Jordan to host the Fund’s new regional office, underscoring the Kingdom’s leading regional and international role in supporting climate action and promoting sustainable development in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, the Ministry of Environment announced on Saturday.

According to Jordan News Agency, the decision is an international recognition of Jordan’s commitment to addressing environmental and climate challenges. Amman will become a regional hub for coordinating climate efforts, facilitating access to climate finance, and promoting the exchange of expertise and knowledge among countries in the region, it said.

It will also strengthen regional and international partnerships and support the implementation of joint programs and initiatives to address climate challenges, said the ministry.

Jordan’s choice was based on a number of factors, most notably the Kingdom’s geopolitical stability and its strategic location, which makes it a natural hub for regional cooperation. Other key factors include national achievements in climate projects, most importantly the Aqaba-Amman water desalination and conveyance project, one of the largest projects supported by the Green Climate Fund, it said.

Furthermore, Jordan’s national leadership and progressive vision in the environmental field have solidified its position as a reliable partner in global climate governance, said the ministry.

“This achievement is a regional responsibility,” commented Environment Minister Ayman Suleiman, adding that the regional office will contribute to enhancing access to climate finance for countries in the region, supporting capacity building and knowledge exchange among Arab and friendly countries, and accelerating the implementation of joint projects to address climate challenges, particularly water scarcity and the promotion of renewable energy projects.

Jordan’s selection for the Green Climate Fund’s regional office, he pointed out, marks a key milestone in the Kingdom’s journey towards strengthening regional and international climate action, and reflects international confidence in its role in supporting environmental efforts and achieving sustainable development.

“It is a message of hope, cooperation, and progress for the entire region,” he said, pledging the Kingdom will continue to work in a spirit of responsibility and transparency as the voice of the region in international forums, and contribute to supporting global efforts to address climate change and build a more sustainable future.

Moscow: Russia is imposing a ban on all gasoline exports starting in April, citing volatility in global energy markets and the need to safeguard domestic fuel supplies. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak informed journalists on Saturday that the disruptions in global oil and petroleum product markets have been driven by the crisis in the Middle East, resulting in significant price fluctuations.

According to Jordan News Agency, Novak stated that a decision had been taken to suspend exports of all types of gasoline until further notice. This move is aimed at stabilizing the domestic fuel market amid the ongoing global energy instability. The ban reflects Russia’s strategy to prioritize its internal energy needs over external trade in response to the current international crisis.

Amman: Representative of the pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector at the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), Dr. Fadi Atrash, affirmed the Kingdom’s pharmaceutical industry constitutes a “key” pillar in achieving and supporting national drug security and strengthening the country’s “strategic” stockpile of human medicines. In remarks to “Petra” Saturday, he said the sector continues to support national efforts at this stage and is working in coordination with official bodies to ensure availability of medicines for citizens in “sufficient” quantities at stable prices.

According to Jordan News Agency, Atrash added that this effort would enhance the resilience of the Kingdom’s health system and its ability to cope with various circumstances. He added that the Jordanian pharmaceutical industry is a “strategic” sector, as it contributes to achieving national drug security under all circumstances. The sector, he noted, proved its strength and reliability during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it “successfully operated at full capacity” to bolster the Kingdom’s stockpile of human medicines and sterilization and disinfection supplies, despite the challenges that global supply chains faced.

He noted the sector operates with “flexible and expandable” production capacity, enabling it to respond quickly to any increase in demand. He stated local companies adhere to the highest internationally recognized quality and control standards, which enhance confidence of local and international markets in Jordanian pharmaceuticals. Atrash referred to a recent meeting attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Bdour, local manufacturers, and importers of medicines and medical supplies. During the discussion, he said the current state of pharmaceutical stocks and the challenges related to supply chains were tackled.

He affirmed coordination is ongoing among various stakeholders to ensure the continued availability of medicines. He noted the sector boasts a production capacity of up to JD1.5 billion annually and relies on a successful business model focused on generic drugs under international brand names, while adhering to high international standards. Atrash added that the pharmaceutical industry is now one of the “most promising” sectors in Jordan, given its “advanced expertise and high quality.”

Currently, he announced the Kingdom now produces more than 5,000 pharmaceutical products, marking a “significant” increase from just a few products in previous years. Atrash added that pharmaceutical factories in the Kingdom are “continuously” expanding their production lines, making strategic investments, keeping pace with the latest technological advancements in the pharmaceutical industry, and developing new products. This process, he said, has strengthened these plants’ position, quality, and competitiveness in export markets.

He pointed out that the pharmaceutical sector comprises 30 facilities nationwide, with a registered capital of approximately JD350 million. “These facilities have provided 10,000 direct job opportunities, 35 percent of which are held by women, and exports reach 85 markets worldwide,” he noted. According to foreign trade figures issued by the Department of Statistics, the Kingdom’s exports of pharmaceutical products grew by 5.1% last year, reaching JD642 million, compared to 611 million dinars in 2024.

Amman: The Department of Statistics (DoS) released its monthly report on construction activity and building permits in the Kingdom for January.

According to Jordan News Agency, the total number of building permits issued in the Kingdom reached 2,296, compared to 1,920 permits during the same period in 2025, marking an increase of 19.6%, the DoS figures revealed. However, the total area of licensed buildings reached 741,000 square meters, compared to 839,000 square meters for the same month in 2025, showing a decrease of 11.7%.

In terms of licensing purposes, the licensed area for residential purposes reached approximately 660,000 square meters, compared to approximately 579,000 square meters during the same period in 2025, representing a 14% increase. Meanwhile, the area of buildings licensed for non-residential purposes reached approximately 81,000 square meters, compared to about 260,000 square meters during the same period in 2025, representing a 69% drop.

The area of buildings licensed for residential purposes constituted 89% of the total area of licensed buildings, while non-residential buildings accounted for 11%. At the regional level, the Kingdom’s central region accounted for 63.5% of the total area of licensed buildings during January, reflecting a 6.2% decrease, compared to the same month in 2025. The northern region accounted for 30.1%, showing a 54.4% increase, compared to the same period in 2025, while the southern region accounted for 6.4%, constituting a 50% decrease.

Regarding the distribution of licensed residential areas by governorate, Jerash recorded the highest percentage at 13.1%, with an area of 0.079 square meters per person. Madaba recorded the lowest per capita share of newly licensed areas at 3.1%, with an area of 0.019 square meters per person.

The licensed area for new buildings and additions to existing structures constituted 47.8% of the total licensed building area during January, while the licensed area for existing buildings constituted 52.2%. The total licensed area for new buildings and additions to existing structures reached approximately 354,000 square meters, compared to about 546,000 square meters during the same period in 2025, marking a decrease of 35.2%.