King meets Northern Badia local community figures

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, at a meeting on Wednesday with local community figures from the Northern Badia, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, stressed the importance of moving from parliamentary blocs towards platform-based parties.

At the meeting, held as part of ongoing community outreach, King Abdullah noted the priorities of the current year, including political modernisation, expressing optimism in young Jordanians’ ability to move political parties into platform-based action, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty also spoke about the Economic Modernisation Vision, launched recently in partnership with the private sector, pointing to ongoing efforts to attract investments and strategic partnerships, especially within the opportunities for regional cooperation.

The King stressed the importance of administrative modernisation, which will reflect positively on the political and economic modernisation tracks.

His Majesty highlighted the opportunities and potential in the Northern Badia, stressing the importance of developing agricultural methods, setting priorities in food security, and bolstering the region’s contributions to securing Jordan’s agricultural needs.

The King noted the important role of agricultural projects in mitigating poverty and unemployment.

 His Majesty also spoke about the security challenges on the northern border, noting that the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies are ready to counter any threats.

The King said there is ongoing communication with the Syrian and Russian sides on the security risks on the border.

Turning to the Jeddah Security and Development Summit held on Saturday, His Majesty noted the positive discussions among the participating Arab leaders, stressing their keenness to continue coordination on regional issues.

The King said Jordan reaffirmed its steadfast positions at the summit, especially on the Palestinian cause.

Speakers at the meeting commended His Majesty’s outreach efforts, expressing appreciation for the King’s keenness to improve Jordanians’ living conditions and move forward in political, economic, and administrative modernisation.

They also commended His Majesty’s efforts to defend Arab causes, especially the Palestinian cause.

For his part, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said the government is working to release the executive programmes for the Economic Modernisation Vision and will also be announcing the outcomes of the administrative modernisation committee.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi highlighted Royal initiatives implemented in the Northern Badia between 2006 and 2020, at a value of over JD26 million, to create job opportunities and empower the local community.

Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Atef Hajaya, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, and Mafraq Governor Salman Najada attended the meeting.