Amman: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Saturday opened specialised dialogue sessions on the Amra City project, attended by more than 150 experts and specialists. The specialists include engineers, urban planners, environmentalists, and experts in transport, energy, water, economics, and investment, as well as representatives of relevant professional associations.
According to Jordan News Agency, in his opening remarks, Hassan emphasized the government's commitment to a partnership-based approach with experts from various sectors to develop a comprehensive vision for the Amra City project. He noted that the project is a long-term and integrated urban development initiative, affirming that dialogue and consultation would continue throughout its implementation as a national project encompassing economic, investment, social, urban, and developmental dimensions.
The dialogue sessions are part of the government's efforts to engage Jordanian expertise in shaping the project's vision and identifying potential developments, particularly during the first phase. This phase includes productive investment projects such as an international exhibition and conference centre, an integrated sports city featuring an international football stadium, an adjacent Olympic city, and Olympic-standard halls for various sports. Work on this phase is set to begin in 2026 and continue through 2029.
During the opening session, Minister of Investment Tariq Abu Ghazaleh outlined the project's general framework, strategic objectives, and planning and implementation pathways. He highlighted that Amra City represents a shift in urban and investment planning in the Kingdom, reflecting the state's move towards building future cities based on proactive planning, sustainability, and integration with long-term economic growth.
Abu Ghazaleh explained that the project is part of a comprehensive national vision that transcends individual governments and embodies an economic modernization model grounded in development, urban planning, and investment. He clarified that Amra City is not a traditional urban development project nor an alternative to the capital, Amman, but an integrated developmental and investment platform hosting major investment and production projects, enhancing national economic competitiveness, reducing pressure on existing cities, improving quality of life, and creating sustainable job opportunities for future generations.
He emphasized that the specialised dialogue sessions provide a participatory platform for national experts, specialists, and youth to engage in constructive discussions aimed at producing practical recommendations. These recommendations would contribute to establishing the nucleus of a smart city adhering to sustainability standards, balancing economic needs with environmental considerations, and responding to social and developmental priorities.
Following the opening session, five specialised discussions were launched at the Prime Ministry, addressing urban development, economic impact and future technologies, water, energy and the environment, culture and education, and sports, health, and mobility. The sessions aim to gather participants' insights and proposals to identify optimal models for developing sustainable cities, contributing to the creation of a modern green city that upholds sustainability, quality of life, and Jordanian identity while unlocking promising investment and economic opportunities.
The Prime Minister had launched the first phase of the Amra City project at the end of November with the commencement of infrastructure works, seeking to establish a new model for urban development and long-term population growth management, serving as the nucleus of a future city for youth and coming generations. Its development phases will extend over 25 years and transcend successive governments.