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AMMAN — The International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2024 celebration in Jordan, held on Wednesday at the Hussein Sports City, showcased the transformative power of youth volunteerism in driving environmental protection and community development. 

Organised by the UN Volunteers (UNV) Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) in collaboration with UNICEF Jordan and the Ministry of Youth, the event brought together key stakeholders, government officials, and over 100 volunteers to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Rooted in a 1985 UN General Assembly mandate, IVD serves as a global platform to promote volunteerism and acknowledge its role in achieving the SDGs at local, national and international levels. 

This year’s event featured impactful activities, including planting 400 trees and enhancing public spaces at Hussein Sports City. Volunteers from Youth Centres, the Youth for Sustainability (Y4S) initiative, and the “Nahno” demonstrated their dedication to creating a greener and more sustainable future. 

Minister of Youth Yazan Shdeifat emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering a culture of volunteerism to address community needs and advance the SDG’s. 

“Jordan has made advanced steps in institutionalising and organising Volunteer work. These include programmes implemented through youth directorates and centres, support for localised youth initiatives, the launch of the Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work, and the development of a volunteer work charter to regulate relationships between volunteers and organisations,” the minister said.

Shdeifat also noted the impact of the National Platform for Volunteering and Youth Participation, "Nahno," launched by the Crown Prince Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry and UNICEF, which offers diverse volunteer opportunities across various sectors.

Partnership for impact

The event featured remarks from Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan who highlighted the interconnectedness of volunteerism and national progress. 

"This year’s International Volunteer Day forms a part of a series of event that we have been organising across the country to commemorate the values of the UN and the support for sustainable development of Jordan itself. The UN supports over 200 volunteers international and national in the country, as well as the thousands that he helped mobilise with the Nahno platform, in collaboration with various Jordanian counterparts,” she said. 

Olga Zubritskaya-Devyatkina, UNV Regional Manager for Arab States, told The Jordan Times, “Every year, one billion people volunteer globally. In Jordan, where the majority of the population is young, we want to engage them in national development plans of Jordan. Volunteering helps the youth to develop soft and technical skills while shaping their future.” 

Shairose Mawji, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Jordan reflected on the transformative power of youth volunteerism, stating, "Since 2021, over 180,000 young people have joined the “Nahno” platform. This is what Jordan needs. As the climate is one of the critical issues in Jordan, with water scarcity, volunteerism is crucial for improving the situation.”

“We believe that every young person has the potential to positively influence the society. Today’s event is another illustration of how volunteerism of young people can transform challenges into opportunities for a better tomorrow," she told The Jordan Times. 

Skills for a sustainable future 

For many young volunteers, the event was an opportunity to gain new experience. “Volunteerism is also way to experience various skills, which will result in job opportunities for them. Practical experience and giving back to their own communities provide them with a sense of achievement,” Mawji told The Jordan Times. 

“The thing I learned today was planting. I never planted anything before and I learned a lot today,” said Bira’, a pharmacy student at Al-Zaytoonah University, to The Jordan Times. She added the will to give back what her country gave her. 

For Mustafa, a law student at Al-Zaytoonah University, and Hadi, a 18 year old student at Zarqa University, it is also a way to give back to their community, share their ideas. “It is good to be giving, instead of taking,” said Mustafa.  

All three of them volunteer on a regular basis with the “Nahno” platform. As the first platform of its kind in Jordan, “Nahno” bridges the gap between youth aspirations and community needs, fostering positive change across the Kingdom.

AMMAN — Representing the conference chair, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh, Secretary-General Amani Azzam on Wednesday inaugurated the ministerial meeting on the second day of the Energy Charter Treaty Conference in Brussels.

Addressing delegates from 30 member states and observers, Azzam emphasised the urgency of advancing a sustainable energy future, according to an Energy Ministry statement.

She also highlighted the pivotal role of the modernised Energy Charter Treaty in protecting investments and offering crucial guarantees to investors in clean energy technologies.

Azzam called for leveraging the treaty to create a stable and predictable investment climate that fosters green growth.

She also showcased Jordan’s impressive renewable energy milestones, noting that contributions from solar and wind energy rose from less than 1 per cent in 2014 to nearly 27 per cent in 2024, with plans to surpass 30 per cent by 2030.

The growth is supported by advancements in electricity storage technologies, including a hydroelectric storage project designed to optimise renewable energy management, she added.

Highlighting Jordan’s green hydrogen ambitions, Azzam announced plans to produce up to 0.6 million tonnes annually by 2030, scaling up to 3.4 million tonnes by 2050.

She also outlined efforts to enhance electric transport infrastructure and expand regional power connectivity to establish a sustainable and efficient energy system.

Azzam stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing climate change, citing COP29’s outcomes, which underscored the need for accelerated transitions to sustainable energy systems.

The conference’s second day featured the release of the 2024 Energy Investment Risk Assessment Report, the Energy Charter Awards ceremony, and a session of the Energy Charter Industry Advisory Committee.

Discussions focused on reducing investment risks in clean energy technologies, protecting investments under the updated treaty, and resolving energy transition disputes within its framework.

AMMAN — The 24th National Olive Festival showcased a wide variety of olive oil products, with the Ministry of Agriculture reporting that 61 per cent of the oils tested were classified as extra virgin, while 35 per cent were categorised as virgin or regular.

Running from November 28 to December 7, the festival features an on-site laboratory for oil testing, with continuous monitoring provided by sensory evaluation teams and representatives from the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) and the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO) to ensure a thorough assessment of the products throughout the event, according to the ministry's statement.

Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat said in a statement to The Jordan Times that no cases of fraud were detected in the tested olive oil products, emphasising the ministry's ongoing commitment to ensuring the quality of olive oil.

Hneifat also noted that the festival serves as a trusted venue, where consumers can confidently purchase olive oil directly from producers.

Mahmoud Omar, spokesperson for the Olive Oil Producer and Mill Owner Syndicate told The Jordan Times that the syndicate and the ministry prioritise the care of olive oil trees to increase yields and ensure the production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

He also stressed that farmers are encouraged to consult agricultural extension offices for expert guidance and advice.

"The transparency provided through testing and quality assurance has been a game-changer at the festival," said Ahmad Abu Rob, an olive oil farmer and participant. 

He also highlighted the festival's dual role as a commercial hub and a platform to celebrate the country’s rich olive oil heritage.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Tuesday chaired the "Energy Charter Conference," held in Brussels.

In her opening speech on behalf of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and conference chair Saleh Kharabsheh, the ministry’s Secretary-General Amani Azzam said that the "Energy Charter Treaty" offers a comprehensive framework aimed to protect investments, facilitate energy trade, and provide fair dispute resolution mechanisms.

Azzam highlighted the importance of promoting sustainable energy practices and fostering cooperation among member states to enhance energy security, stressing that adhering to the charter's principles is crucial for shaping the future energy landscape of participating nations, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

She also noted the significance of the conference discussions in ensuring a sustainable energy future, emphasising the collective effort needed to modernise the charter to better guide energy cooperation and investment strategies in a rapidly evolving global environment.

Azzam urged participants to acknowledge the vital role energy plays in economies and daily life, especially amid current international challenges. 

She also called for a shared responsibility to tackle these issues, leveraging collective knowledge and resources to ensure energy security, sustainability, and innovation in clean energy technologies.

Azzam also highlighted Jordan’s progress in energy transition, noting the country’s proactive steps in diversifying its energy sources with a focus on renewable energy. 

She also pointed to Jordan’s success in developing solar and wind energy projects, positioning the Kingdom as a regional leader in renewable energy production. 

Azzam also said that the progress supports economic growth, job creation, and a greener future.

She also outlined the meeting's objectives, which include endorsing proposals to modernise the Energy Charter Treaty and establishing stronger frameworks for energy security, investment protection, and sustainable development, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy.