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AMMAN — Madaba has joined the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network under the Crafts and Folk Art category, Tourism Minister Lina Annab said on Wednesday.

Madaba was among 19 cities from countries that had not been represented in the network before, Annab said in a statement, adding that UNESCO launched the network in 2004 to enhance cooperation with cities that adopted creativity as a strategic factor for civil development.

The minister said that the candidacy file was presented in June by a specialised local committee that comprised several representatives from local departments in the governorate. 

AMMAN — The government’s designation of November 1 as a national day for olive picking was a result of its awareness of the sector’s importance from economic, social, cultural and environmental point of views, Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat said on Wednesday.

Deputising for Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Hneifat inaugurated the ceremony marking the day, which aims at instilling the values of cooperation and solidarity among all classes of society, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The total area planted with olives in Jordan stands at 1.26 million dunums, constituting 77 per cent of the Kingdom’s area planted with fruit trees, the minister noted. Figures for the current season estimate the total amount of olives at 252,000 tonnes, 50,000 tonnes of which are expected to be used for pickling and the rest to produce some 36,000 tonnes of olive oil, according to Petra.

AMMAN — Minister Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury on Wednesday stressed the importance of supporting Jordan to enable it to continue providing services to the Syrian refugees and the Jordanian host communities.

The support is also significant to enhance and sustain the Kingdom’s resilience, a ministry statement said.

The remark came during Fakhoury’s meeting with UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock.

Fakhoury stressed the importance of investing in Jordan and its stability to preserve its resilience in light of the regional situation.

The minister noted that Jordan is seeking the continuation of the partner’s support to bridge the financial gap through additional grants to support the public budget, which would lead to improving the quality of services provided to the Syrian refugees and the host communities.

Fakhoury briefed Lowcock on the economic challenges facing the Kingdom generated by the regional instability and the burdens of hosting the Syrian refugees.

He also outlined “the Jordanian model” in dealing with these challenges.

The Planning Minister reviewed the national economic situation and the economic and social challenges the Kingdom is facing, in addition to the efforts exerted to boost economic growth and combat unemployment and poverty.

He said that hosting refugees has added new economic and social burdens on the budget and affected the infrastructure, services, and the sectors of education, health, water and municipalities.

The minister highlighted the importance of the international community’s commitment to maintain the momentum of support to Jordan, especially the Jordan Response Plan.

He underscored the need for the UN organisations to deepen their coordination with the Jordanian government prior to preparing the regional response plan to the Syrian crisis by considering the national priorities of the Syrian refugees host countries and funding host communities development projects with the beneficiation of domestic expertise and capabilities. 

Fakhoury stressed that despite the current challenges that Jordan is facing, the government has continued its holistic programme of reform enhancing its resilience and transforming challenges into opportunities through preserving the macroeconomic and financial stability.

He noted the government’s action plan represented by the Executive Development Programme 2017-2019 and the Programme to Stimulate the Economic Growth 2018-2022, which is based on the Jordan Document 2025.

For his part, Lowcock commended Jordan’s pivotal role in the region, the reform programmes, and the holistic development led by His Majesty King Abdullah, citing the Kingdom as “a role model” in the region.

Fakhoury and Lowcock discussed preparations for the regional response to the Syrian crisis, which will be implemented by the UN organisations, in addition to Brussels conventions next spring, according to the statement.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Wednesday received a copy of the National Centre for Human Rights’ (NCHR) 13th annual report on the human rights situation in Jordan for 2016 from the centre’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees Mohammad Bakhit, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The report included the prominent issues related to the human rights situation in Jordan and the governmental procedures required to follow up on the centre’s recommendations and their implementation.

The Prime Minister pointed out the importance of the studies carried out by the NCHR in supporting the government’s efforts in the fields of reform, especially in education, which is considered a basic human right.

Bakhit pointed out that the 13th report tackles all aspects of civil, political and social life, in addition to social justice with all its implications, the rule of law, the promotion of freedoms and development in all governorates, taking into account the regional challenges surrounding Jordan.

Following is the press statement His Majesty gave in Astana on Wednesday following talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev:

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

Good afternoon, everyone,

Mr President,

Thank you so much for this very warm welcome that is always extended to myself and my delegation and the heartfelt warmth that you always show to our people. It is always a pleasure to visit this wonderful country.

The honour of being the first recipient of your International Prize, Sir, gives me a deep sense of gratitude and humility. It is an acknowledgement of the efforts of all Jordanians, who are working and sacrificing today for the future of a world that we share.

To me, this prize stands both for hope, and for responsibility.

Hope that humanity can avert the terrible destruction of nuclear war; and that we can achieve the lasting security of global peace and prosperity.

But also, responsibility to act decisively and boldly; and to come together, all of us, to create the conditions for peace.

The name of this Prize makes it especially meaningful. And, my dear brother, you have brought global vision to today’s most pressing international concerns.

Today, Kazakhstan is a champion of global coexistence and cooperation. Your country is the first in Central Asia to hold a seat at the UN Security Council. In nuclear disarmament, Kazakhstan set a standard for all countries when it shut down its legacy nuclear arsenal in 1991 — one of the first acts of your independent Republic. Today, this leadership continues in Kazakhstan’s recent establishment of a landmark IAEA fuel bank.

My dear brother, Mr President,

It has been an honour to work with you and your country in multiple areas: for global nuclear disarmament, and security against terrorist threats, for bilateral economic partnership and growth, and for the interfaith dialogue, coexistence and understanding.

The fact is that a shared future, a future of well-being for all people, requires multi-dimensional efforts. And mutual support is vital. No country can say that nuclear weapons, or global terrorism, or regional refugee crises, are another country’s problem. Global economic crises and environmental challenges do not stay contained behind other countries’ borders.

All of us are concerned; all of us have an interest in resolving the issues; and all of us have a right and a role in determining the direction our world will take us.

Nowhere is this more true and more urgent than in the Middle East’s central issue — the Palestinian cause. All are concerned in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, based on the two-state solution. And ending this conflict is imperative to regional and global peace, and key to combating extremists by putting a stop to their attempts to employ the failure to resolve it in the service of their dark agendas.

While the issues of terrorism and extremism are not exclusive to our region, Sir, the absence of inclusive political solutions will only benefit terrorist groups who remain a threat to global security.

In this context, a political solution in Syria is vital for regional security and stability. Jordan supports all efforts towards de-escalation in the Syrian conflict that provide a solid ground for successful Geneva talks, including Kazakhstan’s much appreciated efforts in hosting the Astana process.

Mr President,

Jordan and Kazakhstan have enjoyed, as you have said, more than twenty-five years of warm friendship, and we are keen to continue to build on these close ties for many years to come. Our meetings here today have been yet another step to advance our cooperation and take our partnership to a new level.

And it is my hope we will go forward together, to expand the horizons of peace and prosperity for our people and for the world. To be with you today, here in your great land — the heart of the continent, a noble link between East and West — is to see a future of infinite good-will and achievement. 

So, again, Sir, on behalf of myself, my delegation, the people of Jordan,  thank you so much for what you and Kazakhstan do for the international community; what you do for the support of Jordan through our difficult challenges; and the hope that you and your country bring us in resolving many outstanding issues. 

And I do hope, Sir, to see you again in our country to be able to extend just a small measure of the wonderful hospitality that you always extend to me and my people. And I am truly convinced that all the discussions we had today, as you had mentioned, will take the Jordanian-Kazakh relationship into a new level of cooperation, mutual friendship and trust. 

Thank you very much, Sir.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat on Wednesday attended drills carried out by units of the Royal Artillery, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Freihat listened to a military briefing by cadres organising the drill.

The drill included live fire exercises using various weapons.

At the end of the drill, Freihat visited an exhibition showcasing weapons and equipment used in the Royal Artillery.

The drill was also attended by the chief of operations and training, the military attaché of the UAE, members of the Jordanian Armed Forces-the Arab Army, delegates from the UAE and the US armies.

AMMAN — Economic problems topped challenges that face the Kingdom, according to 81 per cent of the national sample that responded to a recent opinion poll, whose findings were announced on Wednesday.

Conducted by the University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) one year after the formation of Prime Minister Hani Mulki’s second government, economic problems were regarded as the top concern of 84 per cent of opinion leaders.

The survey divides respondents into two categories: grassroots — or the “national sample” — and opinion leaders, according to CSS website. 

In the poll, the national sample consisted of 1,824 individuals above the age of 18 with an equal representation of men and women, who were chosen from 162 locations nationwide, while the opinion leaders sample included a random group of 700 people categorised into seven groups of 100 member each, according to the centre.

Conducted between October 15 and 24, the poll involved a total of 52 field researchers, with a margin of error of 2.5 per cent.

Forty-one per cent of the national sample believed that things were going in the right direction in Jordan, registering a 7 per cent drop from April’s survey.

On the other hand, 34 per cent of opinion leaders said that things were on the right track, going down by 21 per cent from the previous poll, which was carried out 200 days after the formation of Mulki's government.

In the most recent survey, more than one third of the national sample said they believed that the government was able to shoulder its responsibilities in the "past phase" (Cabinet with 35 per cent, premier alone 34 per cent and the ministerial team excluding the premier with 34 per cent), marking a 9 per cent drop from April poll. 

Opinion leaders gave the government a better evaluation for shouldering its responsibilities (Cabinet with 39 per cent, premier alone 41 per cent and the ministerial team excluding the premier 40 per cent), yet the assessment dropped by more than 8 per cent compared with April poll, according to the CSS. 

The national sample’s reasons for the government’s perceived “inability” to shoulder responsibilities were mainly attributed to economic conditions, high unemployment rates (38 per cent), lack of achievements and reforms (23 per cent), the government’s failure in addressing corruption (14 per cent). 

On the other side, the opinion leaders’ assessment was based on weak performance of the premier and the ministerial team (26 per cent), lack of achievements and reforms (24 per cent) and weak planning and management (16 per cent), among others.

Poll results showed a slight drop in the assessment of national sample and opinion leaders of the government’s ability to address main issues listed in the Royal Letter of Designation.

On this issue, findings showed a decline in the national sample’s evaluation from 48 per cent in April to 45 per cent in this poll, while opinion leaders’ assessment dropped from 54 to 46 per cent.

As for the national sample’s assessment to the economic conditions of their families, 57 per cent of them said that their current conditions are worse than a year ago, 11 per cent said their conditions are better than a year ago, while 32 per cent said that their conditions were still the same.

As for personal economic outlook in the next 12 months, 44 per cent of the grassroots sample said their status would be worse than now, 26 per cent expected them to improve and 25 per cent said that their conditions would not change.

Regarding the Kingdom’s current economic conditions, compared to the past 12 months, 70 per cent of opinion leaders said that current conditions are worse than a year ago, 25 per cent said they are the same and only 5 per cent said that Jordan’s economic status improved.

As for expectations on the country’s economic conditions, 19 per cent of opinion leaders expressed their optimism of having better conditions, while 49 per cent said that the economic situation would become worse.

Twenty-eight of the national sample said that electricity is the biggest burden on their families’ budgets, followed by food and beverages with 24 per cent, homes (13 per cent), higher education (11 per cent) and health (10 per cent).

On their responses to economic challenges, 34 per cent of the national sample said they chose to reduce expenditure, 27 per cent delayed buying expensive goods and services, while 20 per cent had to borrow to buy needs and face high costs of living. 

AMMAN — The Committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday organised a conference titled “ASEAN and the Middle East: Trajectories for future relations” in Amman, in collaboration with the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy (JID) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The lecture was delivered by Philips Jusario Vermonte, executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies Jakarta and expert in political science, and conducted by JID Director Lina Arafat and Indonesian Ambassador Andy Rachmianto. 

The event, aimed at enhancing the mutual understanding about the geo-political and geo-economic situation in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, was attended by several government officials, ambassadors, businesspeople, scholars and stakeholders. 

During the lecture, Vermonte noted that the Middle East and Southeast Asia share a common ground in their religious beliefs, and highlighted the importance of maintaining internal and regional peace and security, and the richness in people-to-people relationships.

The expert also pointed out that countries in both regions have established several cooperations related to security and the fight against terrorism, including the exchange of defence equipment and expertise. 

“On the economic side, the trade cooperation between ASEAN and the Middle East has been long established through a multi-commodity, trade-based economy and the food for oil trade framework, as well as the expanded cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League with ASEAN,” Vermonte said. 

“But the economic cooperation can only be strengthened if there are strong practical needs and political will,” the expert continued, noting that Jordan “showed a friendly gesture towards the cooperation with ASEAN countries by appointing its ambassador to ASEAN in 2015”.

However, Vermonte criticised the fact that only Morocco and Egypt have signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, pointing out that this agreement is “fundamental” to all ASEAN countries. 

For her part, Arafat expressed Jordan’s keenness “to address all human rights issues, and work towards the assurance of interregional peace and security”.

Answering an attendee’s question, Rachmianto stressed that “Indonesia sides with the independence of Palestine and shares the Palestinians’ struggle.”

The ambassador concluded the lecture by expressing his thoughts about the Rohingya crisis, explaining that “this is a key issue for ASEAN, we strongly condemn the situation, and we have been discussing possibilities to increase the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya Muslims.”

AMMAN — “Being a good human being is more important than being a world-recognised artist,” said Pakistani artist Jimmy Engineer, who devoted his life to helping the disadvantaged people in his country.

In “Lines That Talk”, his latest exhibition showcased at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts under the patronage of HRH Princess Sarvath, the artist portrays daily scenes of the poorest communities from his native Pakistan.

“I walked for a year to visit every single village in Pakistan in order to see and feel what the poorest of the poor go through,” Engineer, who said that he walked more than 4,000 kilometres across his country, told The Jordan Times on the sidelines of the exhibition.

The simplicity of the material used in his work — lines drawn by a black pencil on a blank canvas — conveys the spirit he has embraced throughout his life. “I did not live my life like a normal artist, I gave up everything I owned, every material possession and all my money which I gave to the poor, the blind, the disabled people and any less fortunate,” he explained.

“My country is my top priority and I want to give back because I was thankful. I help people for the sake of my soul and I want to encourage people to give without a motive,” the artist, who calls himself “the son of Pakistan” said, stressing “do it and forget it, don’t make your givings something to be talked about.”

The drawings, which portray daily scenes of Pakistani villages, convey a strong emotional message of simplicity. Two brothers playing, a mother caring for her child, a group of labourers resting on a mat are some of the scenes depicted by Engineer.

“I wanted to show the poor people who have nothing and make them feel special. These people I met only have their dream that, one day, someone will come down and help them,” the artist, who received over 70 international awards and medals, said.

“Engineer’s work represents his deep engagement with his society and his commitment to defend and respect humanity,” said Reem Badran, board member of the Royal Society of Fine Arts, adding “he has the passion to bring cultures closer and his love to give endlessly to the poor, to the needy and to the world”.

Engineer’s history with Jordan started in 1979, when he met with HRH Princess Wijdan who was on an official visit to Pakistan. At an exhibition presenting her with a number of local artists’ paintings, the princess was touched by Engineer’s work, whom she invited to visit the Kingdom.

His work, which remains widely undocumented as he gives his pieces away to charities and auctions for social causes, are expressions of his compassion for the people he has met. “I don’t need my life to be documented because I help people for the sake of my soul,” the man, who calls himself a social worker and a humanitarian, concluded.

The exhibition will run through November 25.

AMMAN — Jordan on Wednesday denounced the cowardly terrorist attack that took place on Tuesday in southwest Manhattan in New York City targeting a crowd of pedestrians, killing several innocent people and injuring others, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said that the “cowardly terrorist crime reaffirms that the terrorists are the forces of darkness with their destructive ideas and their hostility to humanity and life”.

He renewed Jordan’s call for concerted global efforts to combat terrorist ideologies. 

Momani expressed the condolences of the Jordanian government to the American government and people, as well as the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.