Madaba municipality official named UNESCO creative cities network regional coordinator

AMMAN — Representatives of Arab member states in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN)  for Handicrafts have elected Director of the Development Unit at the Greater Madaba Municipality Mohammad Abu Qaoud as the regional coordinator for Arab countries within the network. 

The announcement was made during the Handicrafts and Folklore Arts Forum, currently taking place in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.   

According to a statement from the municipality on Friday, Greater Madaba Mayor Aref Rawajeeh highlighted that Abu Qaoud’s election reflects Jordan’s distinguished presence in the field of handicrafts, particularly in the art of mosaic-making.  

The forum gathers representatives from over 40 countries that are part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Handicrafts. 

On the sidelines of the forum, Madaba Municipality signed a twinning agreement with Al Ahsa Municipality in Saudi Arabia, strengthening ties between the two cities.  

Rawajeeh also announced that Madaba Municipality has granted five scholarships to Saudi students to study for a diploma in mosaic art and restoration in Madaba, as part of ongoing cooperation between the higher education ministries of both kingdoms. 

He emphasised that this initiative aims to attract more Saudi students to study mosaic arts in Madaba.