Day: April 23, 2026

Amman: Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, Amjad Adhaileh, chaired an Arab coordination meeting at the level of permanent representatives on Wednesday at the League’s headquarters in Cairo. The meeting focused on preparations for the sixth Arab-European Ministerial Meeting, which Jordan is set to host on June 22.

According to Jordan News Agency, participants were briefed on the latest developments related to the upcoming ministerial meeting and discussed the draft declaration expected to be adopted. In a statement issued following the meeting, the Arab League highlighted that convening the Arab-European Ministerial Meeting in Jordan comes at a critical time, amid political developments and mounting regional and global challenges.

These conditions, the statement noted, call for enhanced coordination and unified efforts to address them. Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the International Political Affairs Sector, Khaled Manzlawi, expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting, which will take place after a seven-year hiatus since the last session. Manzlawi said that its convening reflects the commitment of both Arab and European sides to sustaining dialogue and strengthening cooperation.

Amman: The Greater Amman Municipality is accelerating a dual-track overhaul of municipal services and financing, as Prime Minister Jafar Hassan reviewed the Municipality’s plans for digital transformation alongside a JD400 million sukuk issuance aimed at reshaping its balance sheet.

According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting with Municipality Committee Head Yousef Shawarbeh, Hassan pressed for faster roll-out of upgraded e-services, framing digital delivery as central to improving response times and citizen experience.

Shawarbeh said an HR modernization system is 78% complete, part of a broader administrative reform agenda to raise institutional efficiency, strengthen leadership pipelines, and introduce performance-based evaluation across departments. A “Future Leaders” program is also being deployed to prepare mid-career staff for executive roles.

On the financing side, officials outlined a Cabinet-backed sukuk program designed to refinance existing liabilities and lower borrowing costs while unloc
king long-term capital for infrastructure and service projects. The first tranche, valued at JD400 million, is expected by end-June, with subsequent issuances under preparation.

The sukuk plan is being coordinated by a joint committee including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Jordan, alongside the municipality, reflecting a shift toward market-based funding for city-level projects.

Officials said the combined push, digitizing services while restructuring debt, aims to improve operational efficiency, expand investment capacity, and support delivery of priority urban projects.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mohannad Shehadeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat, and Central Bank Governor Adel Sharkas.

Amman: The Greater Amman Municipality is accelerating a dual-track overhaul of municipal services and financing, as Prime Minister Jafar Hassan reviewed the Municipality’s plans for digital transformation alongside a JD400 million sukuk issuance aimed at reshaping its balance sheet.

According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting with Municipality Committee Head Yousef Shawarbeh, Hassan pressed for faster roll-out of upgraded e-services, framing digital delivery as central to improving response times and citizen experience.

Shawarbeh said an HR modernization system is 78% complete, part of a broader administrative reform agenda to raise institutional efficiency, strengthen leadership pipelines, and introduce performance-based evaluation across departments. A “Future Leaders” program is also being deployed to prepare mid-career staff for executive roles.

On the financing side, officials outlined a Cabinet-backed sukuk program designed to refinance existing liabilities and lower borrowing costs while unloc
king long-term capital for infrastructure and service projects. The first tranche, valued at JD400 million, is expected by end-June, with subsequent issuances under preparation.

The sukuk plan is being coordinated by a joint committee including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Jordan, alongside the municipality, reflecting a shift toward market-based funding for city-level projects.

Officials said the combined push, digitizing services while restructuring debt, aims to improve operational efficiency, expand investment capacity, and support delivery of priority urban projects.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mohannad Shehadeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat, and Central Bank Governor Adel Sharkas.

Ajloun: As part of field monitoring of Royal Initiative projects, Chief of the Royal Court Yousef Issawi on Wednesday toured Ajloun Governorate, where he inaugurated and inspected a number of service facilities.

According to Jordan News Agency, these projects were launched following the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II during his field visits and meetings with local residents of the northwestern governorate, with the goal of enhancing the quality of services and living conditions. Issawi, who leads the committee overseeing the implementation of Royal Initiative projects, started his tour in the Osara district, inaugurating a fully-equipped, multi-purpose hall designated for social and cultural activities, national celebrations, and other gatherings.

Accompanied by Ajloun Governor Nayef Hadayat and Zaha Cultural Center Executive Director Rania Subaih, the Royal Court Chief toured the hall facilities associated with the Al-Ayoun Municipality. He also inaugurated an adjacent five-a-side football pitch, constructed concurrently with the hall through royal initiatives to serve the local youth.

Issawi emphasized the significance of such facilities in nurturing young talent and providing a safe sporting environment. In Kufranja, he assessed the progress of a housing project intended for low-income families, highlighting a commitment to offer suitable and decent housing for the most vulnerable families. This project is part of a broader initiative to construct 17 housing units across several areas of Ajloun, allocated according to Ministry of Social Development priorities.

He noted that the project is approximately 80% complete, stressing the importance of expediting work to ensure timely delivery of homes to beneficiaries, aligning with His Majesty’s vision of prioritizing citizens and improving their standard of living. In 2022, the announcement of 1,300 new housing units across various regions and rural areas, including 100 in Ajloun, was made, to be implemented in multiple phases.

The Royal Court Chief concluded his tour in Anjara, inspecting the maintenance, rehabilitation, and furnishing project for the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain and the House of Mary, Mother of Hope, for Orphans, undertaken under direct royal directives.

He was briefed on construction and comprehensive maintenance work at the sites, underscoring the special attention royal initiatives give to religious sites, especially since the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain is a globally recognized Christian pilgrimage site. This reinforces its position as a strategic center for religious tourism on the local and international map, playing a comprehensive spiritual role and attracting visitors worldwide. It also serves a humanitarian and social role through its orphanage, he noted.

In press remarks, Issawi stressed that the primary aim of the projects is to improve the quality of services, noting that the study and implementation processes are conducted in full coordination with relevant national institutions, ensuring their alignment with comprehensive development plans.

Al-husn: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa highlighted the pivotal role of the Hashemite Custodianship, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, as a steadfast protector and historic guarantee for Jerusalem’s holy sites. He underscored the increasing significance of this guardianship amidst the ongoing challenges faced by the Holy City.

According to Jordan News Agency, during his three-day visit to Al-Husn in the Bani Obeid District, Irbid governorate, Cardinal Pizzaballa remarked that Jerusalem and its sacred sites remain a top priority for His Majesty. The events initiated in Jerusalem and continuing in Al-Husn symbolize the unity between the two regions, showcasing a solidarity that confirms Jordan and Jerusalem as an inseparable entity.

Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed that despite current adversities, Jerusalem endures as a symbol of noble values. He described His Majesty King Abdullah II as a beacon of wisdom, illuminating the path of harmony and coexistence. Furthermore, he praised Jordan as a “safe island” and a unique example of fraternity, notably reflected in Al-Husn.

Bani Obeid District Governor Ali Al-Hawamdeh discussed the Hashemite leadership’s efforts in promoting moderation through the “Amman Message,” which denounces extremism and fosters respect for humanity. He emphasized the Hashemite Custodianship as a cornerstone in protecting the holy sites, asserting Jordan’s role as a bastion of Arab identity and justice.

MP Iyad Al-Jabri expressed the pride of Al-Husn residents in Cardinal Pizzaballa’s visit, noting it strengthens faith, security, and the spirit of harmony among the region’s people, recognized for its authenticity and brotherhood.

Father Wajdi Sahaouneh welcomed the Patriarch, highlighting Al-Husn’s model of deep-rooted brotherhood among its Muslim and Christian residents. He emphasized Al-Husn’s historical significance as one of the Decapolis cities visited by Jesus Christ and the enduring bonds between Al-Husn and Jerusalem under the noble royal vision.

Amman: The Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by MP Haitham Ziyadin, met on Wednesday with the Lebanese Ambassador to Jordan, Brigitte Tawk. Discussions during the meeting centered on ways to strengthen bilateral relations, with both parties reiterating the “deep brotherly” ties between the two countries.

According to Jordan News Agency, Ziyadin emphasized the need for developing joint cooperation in various sectors, notably in political and economic fields, to serve common interests and enhance the region’s stability. He also called for continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern.

MP Iman Al-Abbasi highlighted the importance of unifying parliamentary efforts to support pan-Arab causes and strengthen collaborative action to address regional challenges, which would contribute to achieving security and stability. The discussions also covered several regional and international issues of mutual interest, with both sides advocating for dialogue and cooperation in addressing current challenges.

Ambassador Tawk acknowledged the “pivotal” role of His Majesty King Abdullah II in promoting the region’s stability and commended the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi in supporting Arab causes. She expressed gratitude and appreciation to Jordan for its continued support to Lebanon, specifically in the electricity supply project, highlighting the importance of this cooperation in alleviating challenges faced by the Lebanese people.