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AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry  condemned on Sunday Israel's announcement on the establishment of a special agency aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians under the guise of "voluntary departure" from the Gaza Strip. 


The ministry condemned the Israeli measures targeting the Palestinian presence on their land as a “blatant violation of international law and humanitarian law.”

“These actions are part of practices amounting to the forcible displacement of Palestinians from their occupied land,” the statement said. 

The ministry’s spokesperson Sufian Qudah, reiterated the Kingdom’s “absolute rejection and condemnation of the Israeli government's decision, which continues to violate international law and relevant UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli actions aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.”



He also cited the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion, which confirmed the illegality of Israeli occupation, settlements activities and the annexation of Palestinian occupied land.


Qudah called on the international community to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities and pressure Israel to “immediately stop its aggression on Gaza and its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank, and to meet the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with sovereignty over the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein met with a group of young people on Sunday in Wadi Seer, where he discussed with them a number of issues related to advancing their economic participation.

The discussions focused on education and employment opportunities through vocational training, as well as the technology and tourism sectors, which the Crown Prince considers priority areas due to their potential for economic growth, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Royal Highness stressed that work is underway to increase the number of vocational training programmes offered and to expand a number of training centres and institutes to accommodate the remarkable increase in demand for these programmes.

Speaking about the technology sector, the Crown Prince noted that the National Council for Future Technology will implement quality projects in line with technological developments, which will have a positive knock-on effect on the national economy and quality of services provided to citizens.

Regarding tourism, His Royal Highness voiced hope that government plans would contribute to the tourism sector’s recovery, highlighting its important role in providing young people with job opportunities, the statement said. 

Also discussed during the meeting were regional developments, especially the war on Gaza, with the Crown Prince stressing the need for Israel’s attacks on Gaza to stop immediately, and emphasising Jordan’s continued diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to end the suffering of Palestinians.

For their part, the attendees praised the King’s directives to advance modernisation and development in the Kingdom, as well as His Majesty’s unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause, according to the statement. 

They also commended His Royal Highness’ continuous support for youth and their economic and social empowerment.

The Crown Prince joined the attendees for iftar and the maghreb prayer.

AMMAN — The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) has approved registration of 90 medicines, aimed to achieve Jordan's drug security, in accordance with the 2024 Special Drug Registration Instructions.

In a statement Sunday, JFDA Director General, Dr. Nizar Mheidat, said the administration received 147 registration applications on the Drug Security List from relevant warehouses and local manufacturing companies.

Mheidat added that the drug items approved for registration are mainly life-saving medications for chronic diseases, heart illnesses and cancer, including medicines required for government tenders or the local market and are unavailable locally.

Mheidat noted the JFDA is "continuously" working to update these items based on drug inventory indicators and spur local pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and register medicines that may see shortages in their supply to the local market.

Mheidat stated this process encourages companies to prioritize registration, inspection, and the necessary technical consultations when submitting their applications.

Meanwhile, he indicated that some applications are still pending to complete submission of the necessary documents.

AMMAN — British Minister for International Development Baroness Chapman arrived in Jordan on Sunday, reaffirming her country’s ongoing support for refugees and the communities that host them.

The British embassy in Amman said that, given Jordan’s role in hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world, funding provided through the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) helps improve essential services, create economic opportunities, and develop vital infrastructure for refugees, providing better living conditions and a more sustainable future.

As part of this continued support, the UK has pledged £4 million to alleviate the pressures driving refugees toward irregular migration, according to a British embassy statement.

During her visit, Chapman is set to meet with Finance Minister Abdulhakim Shibli and Minister of International Cooperation and Planning Zeina Toukan. She will also visit the Azraq refugee camp for Syrians and oversee the departure of aid convoys destined for Gaza. Additionally, Chapman plans to discuss the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), amid the ongoing Israeli blockade.

"My visit comes at a critical time," Chapman said, stressing the need for immediate violence cessation in Gaza. "Diplomacy, not bloodshed, is the only path to security for both Palestinians and Israelis."

She also underscored Jordan’s pivotal role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza and spearheading an Arab reconstruction plan. "By working with international partners, we can help ensure a secure future where the Palestinian people can remain in their homeland," she added.

The visit follows a recent call between His Majesty King Abdullah and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, where Starmer expressed gratitude for Jordan’s leadership in regional stabilisation efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

AMMAN — The Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) on Sunday underscored the urgent need to integrate advanced technology into production processes, calling for a comprehensive national strategy to drive technological adoption, enhance productivity, and strengthen Jordan’s economic competitiveness.

In a policy brief titled "Future Technology and Its Role in Enhancing Productivity," the JSF highlighted the critical role of the National Council for Future Technology, established in response to Royal directives, in positioning Jordan within the global digital economy. 

The council focuses on key areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and robotics, according to Al Mamlaka TV.

The report also pointed to the rapid expansion of the international advanced technology market, citing a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) study that projects revenues will soar from $1.5 trillion in 2020 to $9.5 trillion by 2030.

Assessing Jordan’s economic landscape, the JSF also referenced the World Bank’s Middle East and North Africa Growth Report, which found that Jordan’s per capita income stands at just 18 per cent of that of leading economies like the US. Additionally, Jordan’s total factor productivity, a measure of how efficiently capital and labour are utilised, was reported at only 48 per cent of the level seen in top-performing economies.

The report also examined the technological makeup of Jordan’s manufacturing sector, revealing that medium-high-tech industries, such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, account for only 9.8 per cent of total industrial output. 

"Low-tech industries, including textiles, furniture, and paper products, contribute 36.2 per cent, underscoring the need for policies that support a transition to more advanced industries to boost global competitiveness."

The report also found that 31 per cent of productivity differences between firms can be attributed to variations in technological progress. It also noted that several emerging economies have successfully leveraged modern technologies and innovative business models, leading to increased technology penetration.

The JSF concluded by advocating for a holistic approach to technology adoption, emphasising the need for investment, technology diffusion, and innovation. The forum also stressed the crucial role of the National Council for Future Technology and urged greater investment in human capital, education, and infrastructure, along with efforts to attract foreign technology firms. 

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday participated in a meeting of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on Gaza with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas.

Hosted by Egypt, the meeting brought together the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Bahrain, the UAE, and Indonesia, along with the Secretary-General of the Arab League and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The participants discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, voicing deep concern over the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire and the resulting civilian casualties from renewed airstrikes, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The officials called for the immediate reinstatement of the ceasefire and the release of all hostages and detainees. They also stressed the need for its full implementation, including moving to its second phase, which entails the release of all hostages, a permanent end to hostilities, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735.

The participants also urged full adherence to international humanitarian law and demanded the immediate removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. They also emphasised the urgent need to restore essential services, including electricity and water desalination.

The officials also endorsed the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan presented at the Cairo Summit on March 4, later endorsed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and welcomed by the European Council, stressing its role in ensuring Palestinians remain on their land. 

They also firmly rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, warning of the grave consequences of such actions.

The ministers also underscored the importance of the early recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza, set to be held in Cairo, and called for unifying Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian National Authority. 

They stressed the necessity of preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territories as a step toward establishing a Palestinian state along the pre-1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with UN resolutions and the two-state solution framework. They also reiterated that Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and must remain part of a future Palestinian state.

Expressing deep concern over Israeli military incursions into the West Bank, the ministers condemned settlement expansion, home demolitions, and settler violence, warning that these actions undermine Palestinian rights, escalate the conflict, and jeopardise prospects for a just and lasting peace. They stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, must uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law and protect civilians.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan praised the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company's (JPMC) initiative allocate JD40 million within its social corporate responsibility  to support the health and education sectors over the next three years. 

JPMC;s gesture came after last week's initiative by the Jordanian Banks Association to allocate JD90 million for the same purpose.

During an Iftar event organised by the company on Sunday to announce the initiative, attended by representatives from the private sector, Hassan underlined the importance of JPMC's initiative in the context of its social responsibility, commending the company's ongoing developmental and charitable support. "The company represents a significant milestone in the history of the mining industries in Jordan," according to a Prime Ministry statement. 

The prime minister stressed that social responsibility is not about collecting donations, providing grants, or charity work, "rather, it is developmental policies that establish sustainable partnerships, achieve priorities, and address current challenges."

"It is the other side of the real partnership triangle between the private sector, public sector, and local communities."

He also emphasised that "social responsibility is not a temporary effort or a reaction to exceptional circumstances, but an "ongoing approach and policy and a national policy to ensure that our efforts remain focused on goals and priorities."

Hassan thanked the private sector for its contributions to supporting developmental efforts in many areas, expressing hope that other private sector institutions will take similar and active steps within the framework of institutional partnership and national priorities. "We are  all partners in development and modernisation efforts."

He also praised the phosphate company’s continued success in line with the economic modernisation vision, to improve the mining sector, diversify options, expand and localise manufacturing industries to face price fluctuations, and its focus on seizing available opportunities and promising investments. 

The prime minister highlighted the role of the company in the national economy and its initiatives within the framework of social responsibility to support local communities. "It is one of the largest contributors in this field."

PMC Chairman Mohammad Thneibat affirmed the company's commitment to its national developmental and social role as a partner with state institutions to contribute to the nation's progress.

He  said that the company aided government’s efforts in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 30 per cent of its net profits for the year 2019.

He also said that a special bank account would be opened at the Central Bank of Jordan for the JD40 million donation to be spent on development projects based on well-defined executive programmes and timetables.

He added that the new support would not affect the company's other social responsibilities, which amounted to JD24 million in 2024 and reached JD84 million over the past six years.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the INJAZ organization, has launched the "Training Trainers in Startups" project, aimed at empowering young people and strengthening the startup ecosystem in Jordan.

According to a statement from the ministry on Sunday, the initiative is part of Jordan’s broader public policy on entrepreneurship, designed to foster innovation and address the challenges faced by startups, including limited funding and the difficulty in finding qualified talent to meet market needs, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

This two-year project is targeting 250 trainees to equip graduates with the skills necessary to thrive in local and international markets. The initiative also seeks to provide startups with a pool of qualified talent to support their growth and sustainability.

The programme offers nine-month training placements within local startups, covering the trainees' monthly expenses, and aims to achieve a 50 per cent employment rate among participants by the project's conclusion.

Registration for both startups and beneficiaries will be available on the StartupsJo platform until April 3.