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AMMAN — With the intention of drawing the world’s attention to children living in war, five Ukrainian photographers on Monday exhibited their work from the Donbass war, depicting the physical and psychological state of children on the frontlines.

The “Children in War” photo exhibition, held by the Ukrainian embassy in cooperation with the Cote d’Ivoire embassy at Broadway Gallery, displayed 25 photographs of children who have experienced war firsthand, to show the dangers of war beyond the physical world, organisers said.

Ukrainian photographer and vice president of the Volunteer Help International Foundation, Olena Prokopenko, said the most interesting part of working on the project was capturing the images of children who were “not posing”.

“The most difficult part was the conditions we worked [in], filming and [taking] pictures was... 1km or 2km from the frontline under the shelling,” she told The Jordan Times.

“Photographers were living under the constant threat of being shelled… We were also unofficial photographers, so we were [not] protected with any signs… We were risking a lot,” Prokopenko added.

The artist said the photographers involved in the project “rethought their lives after the experience”.

“We understood that our daily problems are incomparable with the problems those kids are experiencing in their everyday lives,” she added.

Yevgen Rokicki, president of the International Charity Fund and the Baltic-Black Sea Security Confederation, said the tragedy of children who experience war is depicted in the exhibition.

“The idea of the exhibition... appeared a-year-and-a-half ago, once our foundation started supporting children who were on the frontline area of war. Over the last two years, we have refurbished three schools that were demolished during the war,” Rokicki added.

“The tragedy of children depicted in the photo exhibition is because they are residing in the suburbs of big cities Luhansk and Donetsk, they are either from families with either father or mother, or both parents missing,” he said.

The confederation president noted that the children captured in some photos might even have psychological problems as post-war traumas.

“Those two big cities were captured by the Russians and… have no access to medical institutions, no possibility to go to hospitals; they can only go 300km from their home village to other regional centres, that is why we wanted to attract attention to the tragedies of children who suffer from the war,” Rokicki explained.

He added that medical and psychological support is also offered to children who require it, while “those talented people who… sing, paint, or dance” are brought to the capital so that they can demonstrate their talents and be exposed to TV channels and other institutions.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday hosted an iftar banquet in Al Hussein Youth City on Sunday attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, according to a Royal Court statement.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, Judicial Council President Hisham Tal, former prime ministers, senior officials and officers as well as Royal Family members, clerics, MPs and members of diplomatic missions in the Kingdom attended the iftar.

The King and Crown Prince performed maghrib prayer with the attendees.

AMMAN — The Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) on Wednesday called on municipalities with buildings that violate the National Construction Law to rectify their situation.

JEA President Majid Tabba said the law requires pre-construction building designs issued from a JEA-certified engineering firm, as well as the association’s accreditation.

 However, “a few” municipalities issue building licences without consulting certified engineering offices, a matter Tabba described as “illegal and unsafe” with potential defects in construction.

The phenomenon decreased after the JEA signed an agreement with municipalities in June 2014 to put an end to these violations, but some municipalities are still violating the law, he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

“Some are not aware of the importance of obtaining proper building designs, as violations often transgress construction standards as well as the allowed dimensions for buildings,” he said, adding that some violations involve buildings encroaching on streets. 

Contractors and housing developers tend to consult uncertified engineering firms to save money, especially since they receive “reduced fines” when they issue permits for already established buildings, according to Tabba.

“In fact it is cheaper to follow the law in consulting professional and competent engineers and obtaining an official permit, as it saves developers the burden of expensive defects that could result from unprofessional assessments,” he said.

“This is not the place to save money,” the JEA president stressed, explaining that violating construction standards jeopardises the safety and quality of a building, especially the ability to add floors or incorporate electromechanic facilities.

AMMAN — The interests of the country and citizens represent the ultimate goal the Interior Ministry and its security and executive institutions seek to achieve under all circumstances, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad said Wednesday. 

At a meeting with heads of security services, Hammad, who was sworn in before His Majesty King Abdullah on the same day, said that unifying efforts and coordinating among security institutions will help overcome security challenges the Kingdom is facing, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Civil Defence Department Director General Lt. Gen. Talal Kofahi, and acting directors of the Public Security Department (PSD) and the Gendarmerie Department, Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Abu Jumaa and Brig. Gen. Atef Hajaya, attended the meeting. 

The newly appointed minister also commended the high level of proficiency of security personnel and their ability to deal with security challenges.

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour attended Hammad’s swearing in ceremony at Al Husseiniya Palace, according to Petra.

Hammad was appointed as interior minister on Tuesday, replacing Hussein Majali, a former PSD director, who resigned on Sunday. 

Police and Gendarmerie chiefs, Gen. Tawfiq Tawalbeh and Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sweilmin were also referred to retirement the same day.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said in a statement that the minister’s resignation was a result of “the lack of coordination among security organisations that include the public security and the Gendarmerie departments”.

The new minister, Hammad, is known for administering the landmark 1989 parliamentary elections when he was secretary general of the Interior Ministry.

Born in Amman in 1944, he served as interior minister from 1993-1995 and 1995-1996.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Baghdad University and two higher diplomas in public administration from France. 

AMMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said that it was closely following up the investigation into the murder of a Jordanian citizen and another Arab national in Texas, USA.

Director of the Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs Sufian Qudah stressed that the Jordanian Embassy in Washington was actively coordinating with Texas authorities to follow the progress of the investigation, determine the circumstances surrounding the crime and ensure that the perpetrator is apprehended and brought to justice.

Qudah emphasised that the ministry's operations centre was in contact with the family of the deceased Jordanian citizen, noting that the embassy has initiated the necessary official procedures to repatriate the body to Jordan once the investigation is concluded, in coordination with the family, according to a ministry statement. 

The official also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of both victims.

- Birth, death monitoring bylaw approved to improve national mortality data

- Jordan atomic energy commission to streamline operations under new bylaw

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday, in a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved the National Policy and Strategy for Quality and Patient Safety for 2025 to 2030.  

The comprehensive policy framework aims to elevate healthcare standards across the Kingdom by ensuring safe, effective and high-quality care for all citizens.

The initiative is designed to improve health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction and strengthen the resilience of the healthcare system to address both current and future challenges, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

The strategy outlines a clear vision for healthcare excellence, emphasising quality, safety and best practices and encourages a unified approach to healthcare quality. 

It also ensures that all residents, regardless of their healthcare provider, will receive adequate care in alignment with international best practices and the objectives outlined in the Economic Modernisation Vision. 

The policy was developed through a cooperative effort between the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the National Steering Committee, which included key representatives from various healthcare sectors across the Kingdom.

The Cabinet also approved the validation of the 2025 Birth and Death Monitoring and Response Bylaw, which aims to improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of birth and death data collection, requiring that any birth or death be reported within 24 hours. 

This will provide accurate mortality indicators such as general mortality rates, maternal and neonatal deaths and child mortality, based on internationally recognised methodologies.

The Bylaw will also support the identification of causes of death, enabling the development of targeted response plans to reduce mortality rates and accelerate early preventive and therapeutic care for newborns. 

The Ministry of Health will also establish four national registries under the bylaw: the National Birth and Death Registry, the National Maternal Mortality Registry, the National Fetal and Neonatal Mortality Registry and a registry for specific age groups or health conditions as determined by the Minister of Health.

As part of the ongoing public sector modernisation efforts, the Cabinet also approved an amended bylaw for the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority for 2025. 

The revised bylaw seeks to strengthen the Authority's oversight role, improve governance in decision-making, simplify procedures, enhance executive management efficiency and streamline the organisational structure, aiming to prevent overlap and duplication of responsibilities, thereby boosting performance in line with the modernisation of the public sector.

The Cabinet also endorsed an amended bylaw for the administrative organisation of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission for 2025 to improve the Commission’s organisational structure and enable it to better fulfil its duties as mandated by relevant legislation. 

Key changes include the establishment of a data management and communication unit and the reduction of departmental structures to enhance efficiency and oversight in task execution.

The Cabinet also approved recommendations from the Settlement and Conciliation Committee between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, resolving 299 cases involving individuals and companies. 

The decision is aimed at stimulating economic activity, improving the business environment, and assisting taxpayers in regularising their tax status.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Sunday visited the Public Security Directorate (PSD) and met with PSD Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah.

The visit focused on reviewing the directorate's latest developments, strategic plans and preparations for the upcoming month of Ramadan, according to a Prime Ministry statement. 

During the meeting, Hassan commended the PSD's significant progress in recent years, noting improvements in efficiency, flexibility and its ability to respond to emerging security challenges. 

He also stressed that these advances are in line with His Majesty King Abdullah's ongoing efforts to modernise the security services. 

The prime minister also hailed the dedication of all members of the police, civil defence and gendarmerie forces, acknowledging their vital role in maintaining public safety.

Hassan also stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the PSD and various government ministries, adding that enhanced cooperation is essential for effective law enforcement, protection of public and private property and improvement of public service delivery.

Maaytah stressed the directorate's commitment to implementing Royal directives and government policies, focusing on continuous improvement of both operational capabilities and service quality.

Ongoing efforts to tackle traffic congestion and road accidents were also discussed, with Maaytah outlining the directorate's coordination with the Greater Amman Municipality and other relevant bodies to improve road safety and enforce traffic regulations.

Accompanied by Minister of Interior Mazen Farayah and Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh, the prime minister toured the Operations and Control Department, where he was briefed on the advanced systems in place to manage emergency calls and coordinate law enforcement responses. 

The prime minister also received an overview of the directorate's strategic security plans and its efforts to address key crime trends. He was also briefed on ongoing initiatives to expand the use of drones for both security and traffic management and praised the positive impact of this technology on the directorate's operations.

Also on Sunday, Hassan on Sunday conducted an inspection tour, visiting the markets of the Civil and Military Service Consumer Corporations in the Ras Al Ain and Marj Al Hamam areas.

Accompanied by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, the prime minister commended the vital role these corporations play in ensuring access to essential goods at affordable prices, particularly as demand rises ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

He emphasized the importance of prioritising citizen services by guaranteeing the availability of high-quality goods at reasonable prices, especially since these markets have a widespread presence across all governorates and regions of the Kingdom, according to the statement. 

The prime minister also underscored the value of linking the Civil and Military Service Consumer Corporations with cooperatives and productive projects, by allocating dedicated spaces for their products to promote sustainability, expansion, and job retention.

Director General of the Civil Service Consumer Corporation Salman Qudah provided a briefing on the institution’s expansion plans, including opening new markets to cover more areas of the Kingdom and enhancing home delivery services to better serve citizens.  

The prime minister also received a briefing from Director General of the Military Consumer Corporation Col. Mohammed Hadid which focused on the corporation’s plans to offer goods at competitive prices, particularly during Ramadan, and its expansion strategy.  

Throughout the tour, the prime minister engaged with citizens, listening to their feedback on the availability and pricing of goods and extended his greetings ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Sunday said the Kingdom achieved great strides in developing an appropriate environment to support the role of women and empower them in all areas of life.

The minister, who was deputising for Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, was speaking at the seventh edition of the "Women On the Front Lines (WOFL) – Middle East and North Africa Region – Jordan" conference.

“The conference that carries many indications, including that the presence of women in decision-making positions and at the forefront of development and progress, places us before two matters: recognising the effective role of women in assuming leadership, and the necessity of providing the appropriate environment to make their role more effective,” the minister told the gathering.

Bani Mustafa also stressed that Jordan is one of the first countries to fulfil its international obligations to ensure that human rights are respected on its territory under the guidance and leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah.

“Jordan ratified many treaties related to female’s rights, which has enhanced the Kingdom’s efforts in the field of women’s participation in decision-making positions,” the minister added. 

The event, which was held at the Fairmont Hotel was organised by the May Chidiac Foundation (MCF) in Amman.

The conference aims to support and empower women to achieve lasting accomplishments that benefit society in all its aspects.

Also speaking during the event was former minister of state for administrative reforms in Lebanon and President and Founder of the MCF Foundation May Chidiac who commended Jordan's efforts in promoting women's roles and empowering them in various fields.

Chidiac also expressed her gratitude to King Abdullah for his “continued support of initiatives that elevate the status of women and help develop their potential, as well as to Her Majesty Queen Rania, who has been at the forefront of supporting the WOFL Jordan conference since its first edition in 2016”.

Turning to women who are facing the toughest challenges of war, Chidiac said that “women are not only an integral part of society but also the heartbeat that sustains it and the driving force that transforms it”.

“Women are accomplished, self-assured, and inspire global pride, embodying a mirror of society itself. Yet, despite all their vitality, women’s rights remain a contentious issue and a fundamental cause, sparking discussions to affirm their rightful entitlement,” Chidiac stressed.

Chidiac also pointed out that the conference will focus on initiatives that underscore the critical importance of communities’ efforts to secure women’s rights, stressing that when we pursue the right path, regardless of how long the journey may be, justice will ultimately prevail, and destinies will be reshaped.

Meanwhile, Executive Board Member of the MCF Foundation and Chairwoman of the conference  Maha Shair said the goal of the conference is to ensure that the voices of all women are heard and their authentic selves are recognized.

“A woman’s voice is her strength, and when women unite, they possess the power to ignite change that reverberates far beyond walls,” Shair told the gathering.

She also emphasised the crucial role of Jordanian women in achieving gender equality, highlighting their proven ability to make significant contributions to development, promote education and culture, and achieve notable successes across various fields.

AMMAN — The Kingdom is making significant strides in digital transformation, with experts saying that a growing number of government services are being digitised as part of the country's broader strategy to enhance service efficiency, improve transparency, and support economic development.

According to information technology sector professionals, the kingdom's advancements in e-government services are driven by efforts to streamline administrative procedures, reduce bureaucracy, and provide faster and more accessible services to citizens and businesses.

The 2024 annual report on the executive programme of the Economic Modernisation Vision (2023–2025) highlighted that 1,530 government services had been digitised, accounting for 64 per cent of total public services, in addition to 1.4 million digital identities have been activated to facilitate online access to government platforms, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The report also pointed to ongoing efforts to expand digital infrastructure, with the establishment of four new government service centres in Tafileh, Aqaba, Madaba and Maan, bringing the total to seven, including those in Queen Alia International Airport, Muqabalin and Irbid.

The ICT sector representative at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce Haitham Rawajbeh, said that the country’s digital transformation plays a crucial role in improving service delivery.

He emphasised that digital platforms enable users to complete transactions without the need for in-person visits, enhance user experience through official applications and increase transparency by minimising human intervention in administrative processes.

He added that digitisation contributes to cost reduction by decreasing reliance on paper-based transactions and improving government efficiency through artificial intelligence and big data applications. 

Rawajbeh also said that digital transformation facilitates business registration, licensing and access to financial and tax services, supporting a more competitive investment environment.

Among the key government initiatives is the "Sanad" platform, which provides a unified digital identity, allowing users to access various government services online. 

The "eFawateercom" system streamlines electronic payments for taxes, government fees, and traffic fines, reducing reliance on cash transactions. 

In the judicial sector, digital platforms enable the automation of court proceedings, allowing online case filings and legal document submissions.

The healthcare sector has also undergone major digitisation, with the implementation of the "Hakeem" system, which electronically manages patient records in public hospitals. Electronic health insurance services have also improved efficiency in medical coverage administration.

In education, Jordan has expanded digital learning platforms, including "Darsak," which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic for remote education. 

The country has also digitised university admissions through an electronic application system.

The government continues to enhance digital infrastructure by expanding high-speed internet networks and encouraging investments in the technology sector, particularly by supporting tech startups.

Despite significant progress, challenges remain in Jordan’s digital transformation journey. 

Governance and digital transformation consultant Hamza Akalik noted that bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas remains a key priority, ensuring equitable access to online services. 

Aklaik emphasised the importance of strengthening cyber security measures to protect public data and training government employees in the use of digital systems.

He also highlighted that large-scale digitisation improves operational efficiency, reduces administrative delays and fosters economic growth by making business processes more seamless.

Telecommunications and IT expert Wasfi  Safadi projected that digital government services could contribute 4.7 per cent to Jordan’s GDP in the coming years. 

He emphasised the need to expand e-governance initiatives, adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain and enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors to develop a more advanced digital infrastructure.

He also called for increased investment in 5G and future 6G networks, improved financial and digital inclusion initiatives, and legislative reforms to attract technology-driven investment. 

By advancing these initiatives, experts say Jordan could position itself as a leading regional hub for digital solutions and innovation, Petra reported.