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AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday began deliberations on the government’s policy statement, which Prime Minister Jafar Hassan presented to the Chamber on Sunday.

The session, chaired by Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi and attended by the prime minister and Cabinet members, focused on key national priorities, including economic reform, youth empowerment, and political modernisation, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Lawmakers discussed the government’s economic modernisation plans and highlighted the alignment between these plans and proposals from political parties, underscoring the potential for collective policymaking in driving the country’s economic development. 

The session also addressed the importance of major national projects such as the National Water Carrier and the Risha gas field, where deputies described these projects as vital for achieving economic independence, calling for greater transparency regarding project timelines and outcomes.

MPs also emphasised the need for balanced fiscal strategies to reduce the tax burden on citizens while fostering an environment conducive to investment and innovation. 

They also stressed that any financial shortfalls should be addressed through rationalising government spending and intensifying efforts to combat tax evasion, urging the government to avoid excessive borrowing.

MPs also commended recent political reforms that have enhanced the role of the youth in governance, urging the government to prioritise youth demands for employment and education. 

They proposed initiatives aimed at better preparing young Jordanians for the future job market, including targeted training programmes.

Lawmakers also called for updating curricula to reflect international trends and ensure that future generations are equipped to compete in a rapidly evolving world. 

They also emphasised the importance of policies that protect children’s rights, ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment. 

Deputies also advocated for efforts to reduce classroom overcrowding, address gaps in supplementary education, and address staff shortages.

The MPs also urged the government to modernise healthcare systems, expand insurance coverage, and improve public services to meet the evolving needs of the population. 

They also called for greater transparency in governance and enhanced oversight mechanisms to combat corruption and protect national resources.

Several deputies also raised concerns over high unemployment rates and the negative social and economic consequences of unemployment, including rising crime, extremism, declining living standards, and increasing poverty. 

The MPs also warned that the economic challenges were exacerbating financial distress, particularly among women.

Lawmakers also commended His Majesty King Abdullah’s ongoing efforts to defend Palestinian rights in international forums, working to stop the bloodshed of innocents and protect Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. 

They reiterated that the Palestinian cause remains Jordan's central issue and a priority in foreign policy.

MPs also reiterated their commitment to safeguarding Jordan’s stability and sovereignty, commending the Kingdom’s leadership, armed forces, and security agencies for their role in maintaining peace and resilience amid regional volatility. 

The lawmakers also stressed the need to boost the contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP by 1.7 per cent, calling for amendments to relevant policies and laws to support this goal, recognising tourism as a key driver of economic growth.

AMMAN — Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic and Expatriate Affairs Majid Qatarneh on Monday received a copy of the credentials of Omar Barzanji as accredited and resident ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom.

Also on Monday, Mona Juul presented her credentials as accredited and resident ambassador of Norway to Jordan, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

AMMAN — Jordan and Egypt on Monday took a "significant" step towards bolstering regional energy cooperation by signing an agreement that enables Jordan to utilise Egypt’s floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) for the next two years.

The agreement was signed in Cairo by Director General of Jordan's National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) Sofyan Batayneh and Chairman of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) Yassin Mohamed, according to an Energy Ministry statement.  

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh, Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi, and other senior officials from both countries.

Kharabsheh hailed the agreement as a milestone in Jordanian-Egyptian energy cooperation, highlighting its potential to maximise resource efficiency and cut costs. 

He noted that Jordan will rely on Egypt's FSRUs until 2026 when a land-based regasification facility under construction in Aqaba is expected to become operational.

"The agreement enables both countries to optimise the use of their resources and infrastructure, achieving mutual benefits while lowering costs," Kharabsheh said.

Under the agreement, Jordan will have priority access to Egypt's FSRUs, with 350 million cubic feet of natural gas per day allocated to meet Jordan’s needs—equivalent to 50 per cent of an FSRU’s capacity.

The cost of Jordan's LNG shipments is expected to be around $3 million each, with an additional $5 million for transport via the Egyptian gas network. 

Total annual costs are capped at $10 million, significantly less than the $70 million currently spent on the Aqaba LNG terminal, the statement said. 

Batayneh underscored the strategic importance of the agreement in safeguarding Jordan’s energy supply during emergencies. 

"This cooperation will secure a reliable supply of LNG while reducing operational costs, reflecting a shared vision to enhance energy security, efficiency, and affordability," he said.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday stressed the need to take concrete steps to end the humanitarian catastrophe exacerbated by the Israeli aggression on Gaza.  

Safadi reiterated that Jordan's call for immediate action at the international conference on the urgent humanitarian response for Gaza, held on June 11, required urgent measures to address the catastrophic crisis, according to a ministry statement. 

This need has become even more pressing due to the worsening aggression and its impact on the humanitarian situation, the minister stressed.

In his address at the Cairo Ministerial Conference to Enhance the Humanitarian Response in Gaza, held in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Safadi stressed the significance of mobilising an effective international stance to open all border crossings. 

He called for enabling UN agencies, particularly UNRWA, to deliver aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza, an area that turned into a "graveyard for children, international law, and human values."  

Safadi said: “In Jordan, we have done everything to ensure aid reaches Gaza. We carried out the largest humanitarian airdrops since the Berlin Airlift during World War II and we remain committed to providing all possible assistance.”  

He highlighted Jordan's comprehensive plan to increase humanitarian support for Gaza, urging all nations to participate in supporting and implementing this endeavour.  

Safadi stressed that the priority must remain stopping the aggression, achieving a permanent ceasefire, and ensuring the delivery of essential aid to the "hungry" people of Gaza, who are dying from violence and starvation.  

He also warned of the war waged by Israel in the West Bank, citing ongoing settler terrorism against the Palestinian people and illegal Israeli actions undermining the two-state solution, including settlement expansion, land confiscation, and the displacement of people from their homes.  

Safadi cautioned against the dangerous political rhetoric that denies the humanity of Palestinians and their right to live with dignity and peace.

He underscored that only peace, which embodies an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 lines, living securely and peacefully alongside Israel based on the two-state solution, can ensure regional security and stability.  

Meanwhile, Safadi discussed bilateral relations, efforts to stop the aggression on Gaza, and other regional issues, including developments in Syria, with several foreign ministers and state representatives attending the conference.  

He also participated in a consultative meeting with Arab foreign ministers and representatives at the conference.  

Safadi met with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan.

Safadi also met with Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, and Colombia’s Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo.

He also held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Singapore’s Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.

AMMAN – Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa On Monday met with United Nations Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema-Anderson and representatives from various UN agencies to explore further cooperation. 

The meeting, attended by key stakeholders from the Ministry of Social Development, focused on strengthening social programmes and services, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Bani Mustafa underscored the ongoing partnership between the ministry and UN agencies, acknowledging their significant contributions to various projects. 

She also highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to implement the National Social Protection Strategy (2026-2033) effectively, ensuring that all components of the strategy are achieved.

She also discussed the professionalisation of social work through a new system aimed at improving service quality, including creating a registry for certified social workers who will undergo specialised training.

The minister also underlined the importance of building partnerships with associations, forming coalitions, and launching sustainable, productive projects to drive lasting impact.

Bani Mustafa also commended successful programmes like the UN Women Oasis Programme, which empowers women and girls through economic and social training, and the Makani project, which provides children and youth with education and entrepreneurial skills to engage in community life.

She also outlined plans to improve support for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, orphans, and those without family support.

The meeting also addressed the need to enhance services under the National Aid Fund and advance the women’s empowerment strategy within the broader framework of the country’s economic modernisation vision.

The UN agency representatives expressed their continued commitment to supporting the ministry’s efforts, commending its dedication to improving social services and empowering women.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) Musa Maaytah said on Monday that election legitimacy depends on transparency, legal adherence, and public confidence in the results, which reinforce citizens' belief in the importance of their votes.

Maaytah made these remarks during a meeting organised by the Arab Women Organisation (AWO), in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He stressed the importance of including all segments of society in the political process, underlining that empowering women is a crucial component of achieving democracy, development, and social justice.

Maaytah also emphasised that Jordan continues to make significant strides in empowering women, with female representation in the 20th Parliament reaching 27 per cent, demonstrating the country's ongoing commitment to enhancing women's political participation.

Secretary-General of the JNCW Maha Ali expressed pride in the increased representation of women in the Jordanian Parliament, which now stands at 19.6 per cent, the highest in the Kingdom’s history. 

She also emphasised that this milestone reflects the Royal vision of supporting women's roles across various sectors.

Ali also commended the IEC for its efforts to promote women's participation, particularly through the adoption of the definition of electoral violence against women and the establishment of mechanisms to address it.

Director of the "WoMENA" programme at GIZ Annette Funke commended Jordan's progress in promoting gender equality within the electoral process.

AMMAN — Investments from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) amounted to JD3.9 billion by the end of October, comprising 5,474 contributions and 1.4 billion securities, according to data from the Amman Chamber of Commerce.

Saudi Arabia led the GCC investments with JD1.042 billion, distributed across 2,413 contributions and JD435.1 million securities. 

Kuwait followed with JD1.001 billion from 2,131 contributions and JD260.8 million securities, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Bahrain ranked third, investing JD853 million through 96 contributions, representing 380.1 million securities.

Qatar contributed JD523 million, distributed across 430 contributions and JD197.5 million securities, while the UAE invested JD418 million in 290 contributions, holding JD112 million securities. 

Oman rounded out the list with JD32 million, spread across 114 contributions and JD7.4 million securities.