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AMMAN — The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and Egyptian Armed Forces on Monday started a military drill in Egypt to boost operational preparedness, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Monday.

The two-week drill, titled “Aqaba 3”, aims to boost relations between the armies of both countries and train the troops in conducting joint security related tasks.

Troops from both countries will be training in activities designed to deal with the current regional situation.

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday met with five Jordanian entrepreneurs and businesswomen to congratulate them on their success at TechWomen 2017, which was held in Silicon Valley in October.

 The Queen commended them on their winning project, titled “Orphans in Jordan”, which consists of a digital platform aimed at increasing orphan’s low enrollment rates in institutes of higher education, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office. 

Her Majesty also expressed her pride in their achievements, and discussed with them the important impact their project will have on their community, paving the way for other Jordanians to similarly excel.

Hailing from across the Kingdom, the Jordanian team consisted of Aseel Al Musa, Nour Al Tobasi, Ala’a Agha Karss, Hiba Shabrouq and Dhelal Shorman, who were among 100 participants chosen from a total of 4,000 applicants from 20 countries. 

The team was awarded one of five socioeconomic seed grants, with the remaining four awarded to teams from Cameroon, Kenya, Pakistan and South Africa. 

Inspired by the women’s time spent volunteering at local orphanages, their project will encompass a series of intensive personality and capacity-building workshops, as well as a mentorship programme to provide positive role models toward which orphans can aspire. 

As part of TechWomen’s exchange programme, the five women received three-week project-based internship placements at leading companies Twitter, Fitbit, Unity, and LinkedIn in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. 

The women told Her Majesty that the internship experiences had a tremendous personal impact on their confidence and entrepreneurial skills, encouraging them to develop new business ideas and partnerships after returning to Jordan. They also described how their experiences in the US had emboldened them to fight stereotypes about Arabs and correct misconceptions about Islam. 

Aiming to empower, connect, and support emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, TechWomen is a US based mentorship and exchange programme. 

During TechWomen 2017, participants from around the world engaged in development workshops and mentorships. 

AMMAN — The relationship between tourism and sustainable growth was the focus of a  regional conference that began in Amman on Monday.

Titled “Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa [MENA]: Competitiveness for Sustainable Growth”, the two-day meeting aims at developing sustainable urban tourism in the region.

Deputising for Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Tourism Minister Lina Annab said: “We are gathered to discuss the global trend of urbanisation and its impact on cities and tourism and their competitiveness for sustainable growth.”

The conference comes as part of the activities of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism to reflect the Global Sustainable Development Goals 2030, according to the organisers.

The first day of the event saw the attendance of Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh, World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai, officials and experts in the field, in addition to businesspeople from the sector.

“Today, over 55 per cent of the world population live in cities, and this growth is accelerating. As we become more urban, the importance of cities will undoubtedly increase,” Annab noted.

“As we look at developing tourism in our cities, mainly Amman, in a competitive and sustainable way, we should ensure that this is not done in isolation, and that this development is part of a wider community connected through viable infrastructure and effective transport links,” she added.

She stressed that “the more citizens feel engaged with their city, the more they feel collectively responsible for it.”

The two-day conference aims at ensuring integration of policymaking, legislative frameworks and effective management among all stakeholders in developing sustainable urban tourism in the MENA region cities, according to an organisers’ statement.

It also aims at improving transparency, knowledge, accessibility, expertise and creativity as essential tools to compete in the era of knowledge economy in different parts of the region, the statement said.

Shawarbeh highlighted tourism as a pillar for economic growth in the cities within a comprehensive approach. 

“We look forward to increasing the numbers of tourists in the cities of the Middle East in the upcoming years, and we value our extensive partnership with the Tourism Ministry, the private sector and the civil society institutions in this field, as they have helped us develop touristic sites in Amman, like the Hashemite Square in downtown,” the mayor said.

For his part, UNWTO secretary general said: “Travel and tourism have become a global force and a cornerstone of major transformations.”

He noted that travel and tourism have also become integral parts of major global challenges including climate change, migration, employment, safety and security, among others.

“In 2016, there were 1,235 million travellers who crossed international borders,” Rifai said, adding “that is almost one sixth of the world population going on an international trip every year. While doing so, they are bringing tremendous benefits to communities, economies and societies.”

“Travel and tourism are the third largest exporting industry in the world after chemicals and fuels,” he said, noting that UNWTO’s long-term forecasts show that there will be 1.8 billion international travellers by the year 2030.

BONN — A video produced for the Ministry of Environment that urges for cleaner seas and oceans was featured at the Oceans Action Day at the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP 23).

The video, titled “One Dead Sea is Enough”, warns against the impacts of pollution and littering on marine ecosystems, highlighting the important role of seas and oceans in regulating the climate and stressing its fundamental role as the world’s largest carbon sink.

The video is part of an initiative announced by Minister of Environment Yaseen Khayyat last week at the World Science Forum held at the Dead Sea, with the aim of advocating for cleaner seas by curbing pollution and littering.

At the COP 23 Oceans Action Day, which was held on Saturday, a new declaration was announced to strengthen the global response to climate change as it impacts oceans.

During a session held to mark the Ocean Action Day, several international speakers discussed the pressing issue. 

Biliana Cicin-Sain, president of the Global Ocean Forum said that although oceans are important for the planet’s survival and offer innovative opportunities for low-carbon blue economy, they have been discussed and handled very little at the UN climate negotiations so far.

The “Because the Ocean” declaration at the UN Climate Change Conference is backed by the launch of the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action report, according to a statement issued by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.

Panelists at the event discussed how economic development based on ocean-based “blue economies” provides a way forward for sustainable economic development of coastal and island countries.

They also outlined concrete proposals and solutions addressing the threats which Small Island Developing States are facing in the face of climate change, ocean acidification and rising sea level.

AMMAN — Jordan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on Monday signed a project agreement to improve business environment and small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) competitiveness in Jordan over the next three years, a ministry statement said.

The agreement, which was signed by Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah and UNIDO’s regional representative Cristiano Pasini, aims to increase Jordan’s private sector contribution to job creation and promote economic inclusion of youth and women by supporting the development of competitive SMEs. 

Qudah noted that the project responds to the needs of the industrial sector in Jordan, and is aligned with “Jordan Vision 2025, the recently adopted industrial policy 2017-2021, and the Royal initiative for economic growth plan 2018-2022”, according to the statement.

He praised the relationship between Jordan and UNIDO, which contributed to supporting the Kingdom on its path towards development. 

The minister said that the three-year project is structured along two main components. The first one aims at developing an information system on the industrial sector by designing an “Industrial Intelligence Observatory” that supports the production of evidence, based industrial and market intelligence analysis.  

The second component will focus on enhancing investment and market opportunities, in four selected value-chain drivers of job creation (including self -employment) for youth and women, in both urban and rural regions, according to the statement. 

“The minister of industry, trade and supply of Jordan asked UNIDO to develop a project to support the competitiveness of industrial SMEs with a special focus on supporting job creation for youth and women,” Pasini was quoted in the statement as saying. “We would like to encourage the international communities to contribute to this important project which will help to expand industrial production and foster inclusive and sustainable industrial development [ISID],” he added.

A specialised UN agency, UNIDO promotes ISID through the development of clusters in cultural and creative industries, the promotion of women empowerment, the support to green industry and the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements such as the Montreal protocol and the Stockholm convention. 

Since 2014, UNIDO has been also providing livelihood support to vulnerable rural communities in Jordan affected by the influx of Syrian refugees, the statement concluded.

AMMAN — Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, ruler of the Emirate of Ajman and a member of the UAE Supreme Council of the Union, on Monday visited the Emirati-Jordanian camp and hospital where he opened clinics at the medical centre.

Sheikh Humaid praised the efforts exerted by the employees at the hospital and camp and the level of services presented to the Syrian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The sheikh and an accompanying delegation also toured the hospital to check on its equipment.

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and UN Secretary General Special Representative for Iraq Ján Kubiš on Monday discussed the latest developments in Iraq, especially the victories made against the Daesh terror group.

Safadi and Kubiš went over the efforts exerted to overcome the tensions between the Iraqi central government and the government of Kurdistan following the independence referendum, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The minister stressed the Kingdom's support to Iraq in its war against terrorism, voicing pride in the victories Baghdad achieved against terrorists. Kubiš acquainted Safadi with the UN efforts to end the tensions in Iraq after the referendum. Safadi highlighted the importance of solving the problem through dialogue based on the constitution, in a way that maintains the unity, stability and security of Iraq, which are necessary for achieving the national consensus and starting reconstruction. 

AMMAN — State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani on Monday warned that the misuse of social media outlets could "destabilise and divide societies", the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. During a lecture at the Royal Jordanian National Defence College, Momani discussed the importance of raising awareness on the dangers of spreading rumours and false news, especially in times of crises.

He stressed the need for these outlets to be used for the common good rather than to spread division, extremism and hate speech. 

BONN — Ongoing global negotiations at the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) in Bonn are “so far positive” and in favour of the demands of the Arab countries, according to a senior Arab diplomat.

Twenty-two Arab countries have announced a unified stance at the COP 23, describing the Paris Agreement as their foundation in the current negotiations and reaffirming the importance of sustaining and preserving the agreement’s elements.

At the COP 23, Arab countries are negotiating a “full and integrated package on financing, implementation of adaptation projects and transparency”, the diplomat, who requested to remain anonymous, said.

“We are demanding guidelines that cover all the elements of the Paris Agreement, including finance, implementation mechanisms, and provision of support as well as ensuring the transparency of all measures,” the diplomat, who is directly involved in the negotiations on behalf of the Arab countries, told The Jordan Times in an interview.

The Arab countries, which have been holding daily meetings throughout the conference, strongly underlined the need to link mitigation measures to financial support, demanding that the national differences for each Arab country be recognised when drafting out mitigation activities.

“So far, we are on the right track and progressing at the negotiations,” the Arab diplomat highlighted. He however noted that the path of the ongoing negotiations is not clear yet, as the first week of the conference concludes.

Diplomats, scientists and environmentalists from 195 countries on Monday started negotiations at the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to draft out operating guidelines for the Paris agreement.

The guidelines will detail how nations can reach and achieve goals announced at the Paris Agreement, which sets a target of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC — or 2ºC at the most— by the end of the century.

Ministry of Environment Secretary General Ahmad Qatarneh underlined that Jordan supports the Arab stance at COP 23, expressing hope that the conference concludes with clear guidelines on finance of adaptation and mitigation.

“We are in line with the collectively adopted Arab stance and we are negotiating our way to reach an integrated package by the year 2018, when the COP 24 will be held in Poland,” Qatarneh told The Jordan Times in an interview on the sidelines of the conference.

Delegates of the participating countries will be negotiating specific goals at COP 23, which is presided by Fiji, the first island nation to head a COP conference.

The delegates are expected to complete the structure for the implementation of the Paris Agreement to strengthen its impact and achieve its goals in order for countries that ratified the agreement to fulfil the commitments due in 2020 along with finance and mitigation pledges.

In addition to setting up guidelines that ensure that the agreement promotes transparency on action and support as well as resilience and adaptation, delegates at COP 23 will also be checking on the progress of the delivery of $100 billion of support for developing countries by 2020, and the bringing into force of the Doha Amendment of the first international emission reduction treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, according to the UNFCCC.

They also aim at drawing up international standards on how to measure carbon emissions in addition to how countries set new and more ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions post 2020.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday opened the Parliament's second ordinary session, where he delivered the Speech from the Throne.

In the speech, His Majesty started with commending the legislature’s performance during the past session, resulting in “the endorsement of a package of vital legislation encompassing several key sectors, in line with our keenness to develop the performance of the judiciary, enhance the rule of law and nurture the foundations of our civil state,” asserting that the government “must remain transparent, realistic and proactive, without hesitation”. 

He also expressed pride in the progress made to the democratisation process, especially the success of the local polls held in August, marking the start of the decentralisation process and a new style in local governance.  

On national priorities, the King said these “require the utmost engagement from this esteemed assembly in terms of oversight and legislation in the service of Jordanians”.   

 Following is the full text of his Majesty's speech: 

In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate, Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad, Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives, Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, In the name of God, and with His blessings, we inaugurate the second ordinary session of the 18th Parliament. 

At this key stage in our democratisation process marked by continued achievements we commend the efforts recently exerted by this esteemed assembly in cooperation with the government, which were characterised by constructiveness, and a spirit of responsibility and partnership.

This has resulted in the endorsement of a package of vital legislation encompassing several key sectors, in line with our keenness to develop the performance of the judiciary, enhance the rule of law, and nurture the foundations of our civil state. I urge you to continue with this approach of cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities.

As we stand today in this bastion of Jordanian democracy, we proudly recall Jordanians’ latest milestone of electing municipal and governorate councils, launching our experience in decentralisation as we strive towards cementing democracy and empowering local authorities to assume wider responsibilities in development-related decision making.

This achievement also reflects Jordan’s unique, steadfast and incremental reform model, to which Jordanians remain committed amidst unprecedented regional challenges.

Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives, 

The opening of the second ordinary session of this Parliament is an opportunity to highlight the urgent issues that were detailed in the government’s performance report for the past year and published in June, as well as in its policy statement, and in the last two Letters of Designation. These priorities require the utmost engagement from this esteemed assembly in terms of oversight and legislation in the service of Jordanians, whose security, dignity, and right to a better future are the goals of all exerted efforts.

In order to achieve these priorities, the government must work to implement the Jordan Economic Growth Plan over the coming years, endorsed to boost economic growth and to capitalise on all available regional and international opportunities to improve citizens’ standard of living, support the middle class and protect low-income families. The Government must also continue to implement the National Strategy for Human Resources Development and see through the e-government programme to transform into a paperless government.

I have constantly asserted that government must remain transparent, realistic and proactive, without hesitation.

With the phase of strategising and planning complete, the Government must now focus on effective implementation, for it is up to us to take matters into our own hands. No one will solve our problems but us. We must harness our will, potential, and energy to confidently and resolutely take on the challenges before us.

Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives, 

Our success in forging ahead on the path of growth and prosperity, and countering the forces of evil and the khawarej of this age would not have been possible without the unity and solidarity of Jordanians.

Here, let us also pay tribute to the relentless efforts of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies to safeguard the homeland, its prosperity and independence, day and night. To them, we give a salute of respect and appreciation for their sacrifices and heroisms, and we commit to supporting them to undertake their sacred duties.

Honourable Senators, Honourable Representatives,

Jordan will continue to uphold its historical role as defender of the causes of our Arab and Muslim nations, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, with Jerusalem as its capital, as well as safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

I ask God Almighty to grant us the will and determination to fulfil our responsibilities and serve our beloved people, country, and Ummah.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.