Day: 28 November 2023

The percentage of children under five who are overweight rose by 9% in 2023 compared to 2012, when a 4% uptick was recorded, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS).

The DoS’s 2023 Population and Family Health Survey revealed that the percentage of children under five with stunted growth remained stable at 8% compared to the previous survey in 2012. However, this figure has improved since the first survey in 1997, when the rate was 11%.

The emaciation indicator has stabilized from 1997 until the current year at 2% for children under the age of five.

According to the survey, only 34% of infants aged 0-23 months were breastfed within the first hour of birth.

Only 24% of infants under 6 months are breastfed, while 42% of children aged 6-23 months receive diverse nutrition.

The survey showed a decline in exclusive breastfeeding among children aged 0-5 months, reaching 24 percent in 2023 compared to 39 percent in 1990.

The results indicated that approximately one-third of children aged 6-59 months s
uffer from anemia, including 19% suffering from mild anemia, 13% suffering from moderate anemia, and less than 1% suffering from severe anemia.

The prevalence of anemia among Jordanian children remained largely unchanged between 2002 and 2023, declining slightly from 34 percent to 32 percent.

According to the results, there were 14 deaths per 1,000 live births. The mortality rate for children under 12 months was one death per 1,000 children. The overall mortality rate for children under the age of five was 15 deaths per 1,000 live births. The neonatal mortality rate was 9 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the postnatal mortality rate was 6 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The neonatal mortality rate has decreased from 21 deaths per 1,000 live births to 9 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate has decreased from 34 to 14 deaths per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the mortality rate of children under the age of five has decreased from 39 to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births during the same
period.

Source: Jordan News Agency

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi is set to engage in the proceedings of the 173rd session of the General Assembly of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE-Paris), an inter-governmental organization created to supervise international exhibitions, in Paris.

This participation aligns with the Kingdom’s endorsement of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in its candidacy for hosting the World Expo 2030. The upcoming elections will determine the selected city to host this significant global event.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The index of wholesale trade prices edged up by 1.68% during the first three quarters of 2023, reaching 105.71 points, compared to 103.96 points for the same period in 2022, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS).

Machinery prices increased by 3.64%, motor vehicles and motorcycles by 3.04%, while fuel, minerals, and construction material decreased by 0.18% during the same comparison timeframe, said the DoS’s quarterly report issued on Tuesday.

Additionally, the index rose by 0.98% in Q3 2023, reaching 105.77 points, up from 104.74 points in Q3 2022.

The index rose due to an increase in machinery prices by 2.74%, agricultural raw materials, grains, food, beverages, and tobacco by 2.34%, motor vehicles and motorcycles by 2.02%, and textiles, clothing, and personal and household goods by 0.51%. However, fuel, minerals, and construction material prices decreased by 3.01%.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, inked a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday with Ahmed Saleh, Chairman of Mass Group Holding energy company. The agreement aims to conduct feasibility studies for the development of green hydrogen projects in Jordan.

Kharabsheh emphasized that the memorandum targets an annual production of 180,000 tons of green ammonia. It outlines the general framework of cooperation to facilitate and empower the company to undertake a preliminary feasibility study for a new green hydrogen project. Once the initial studies are completed, and based on the outcomes, the ministry will proceed to establish a framework agreement, leading to the final investment agreement for the project.

In his statement, Kharabsheh highlighted the significance of revitalizing partnerships with the private sector, marking the eighth agreement of its kind in the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia.

He expressed hope in realizing the ministry’s vision and the energy secto
r’s ambitions for Jordan to become a regional and global hub for hydrogen production and export. This aligns with previous and upcoming memoranda, expected to be signed during the COP28 climate conference.

The minister reiterated the commitment of the ministry and the sector to streamline the investment process in green hydrogen. He emphasized the value of this opportunity for both Jordan and investors, considering it a promising sector in European countries.

Kharabsheh underscored that this memorandum aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance Jordan’s role as a regional center for green energy production. Leveraging abundant renewable energy sources and the country’s central location in the Middle East and Africa region, this step is part of the ministry’s priorities and falls within the Economic Modernization Vision (2023-2033).

Saleh commended the government’s initiative to expand investments in the green hydrogen sector, highlighting Jordan’s strategic location and the abundance of renewable ener
gy resources such as sun and wind.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Mediterranean Dialogue for Waste Management Governance (Med4Waste) project has proved success in improving municipal waste management in the Mediterranean region, said the project’s management.

The management has widely disseminated successful practices and results of previously funded projects, and offered an online training course in which over 200 students have registered so far, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The project was funded by the European Union and is affiliated with the European Neighborhood Instrument Cross-Border Cooperation for the Mediterranean (ENI CBC MED). It aimed to address waste management issues and produced a catalog of 22 effective solutions.

The project team engaged with more than 400 stakeholders, launched over 30 awareness campaigns and successfully improved six integrated waste management plans.

New governance models for effective policies on integrated urban waste management was also facilitated by the project to help resolve issues in the Mediterranean region, a
dded the statement.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Middle East and North Africa Civil Society Network for Displacement (MENA CSND) in Jordan has released a commitment document, outlining its dedication to empowering refugees and host communities, aiming to enhance their adaptability and foster self-reliance.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the network, comprising 28 members representing various sectors, including humanitarian, development, academic, research, private centers, non-governmental organizations, associations, culture, and arts, expressed its focus on broadening the scope of protection and assistance for displaced individuals and refugees. This expansion is envisioned as a more effective and comprehensive approach to supporting host communities, achieved through collaboration with humanitarian and development authorities.

The commitment document outlines proposed projects geared towards bolstering the adaptive capacity and self-reliance of refugees and host communities. These initiatives include the provision of sustainable livelihood oppo
rtunities, service support, education and learning assistance, comprehensive protection services, and the promotion of evidence-based implementation to address refugee issues and share responsibilities.

The proposed projects are designed to align with a collaborative methodology among relevant stakeholders and are consistent with Jordanian national priorities in responding to the Syrian refugee crisis and the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.

The document is slated for discussion during the upcoming Global Refugee Forum, scheduled to take place next month in Geneva, Switzerland. Six countries, including Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, Niger, and Uganda, are participating in hosting this forum.

Co-hosted by the Swiss government and the United Nations High Commissioner, the forum aims to provide a platform for countries and stakeholders to announce concrete pledges and contributions, showcase advancements in refugee services, and identify future challenges and opportunities.

Source: Jordan Ne
ws Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah has reiterated that the war on Gaza which has claimed thousands of innocent lives, including women, children, and the elderly must stop.

In a letter sent to Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People Cheikh Niang to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People which falls on 29 November, King Abdullah said the values of all religions and shared human values categorically reject the slaughter and terrorising of civilians.

His Majesty added that the heinous Israeli aggression against Gaza and the illegal violations in the West Bank contradict humanitarian values and the right to life.

In the letter, the King said the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People comes during exceptional circumstances that demand international action to stop the war on Gaza, protect unarmed civilians and hospitals, while also pushing Israel to end the siege and allow the unimpeded work of humanitarian agencies a
nd the delivery of relief and medical aid.

His Majesty said depriving Gazans of water, food, medicine, and electricity is a war crime that cannot be ignored, and its continuation will further exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the strip.

The King called for galvanising international support for UNRWA to enable it to undertake its UN mandate in providing vital relief services to the Palestinians, warning that weakening the agency will lead to dire consequences in Gaza and the West Bank.

His Majesty reiterated that the continuation of destruction and attempts to displace the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is a challenge to international law and will fuel further cycles of violence in the region and beyond.

Peace and stability will not be achieved through military or security solutions, the King reaffirmed, adding that the only way to achieve peace is through a political solution that restores the full and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

His Majesty stressed again Jordan’s rejecti
on of any scenario of reoccupying Gaza or establishing buffer zones, reiterating also the Kingdom’s rejection of attempts to separate Gaza from the West Bank, which must jointly form the Palestinian state.

After over 75 years since the Nakba, the King said the Palestinians remain committed to their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent, sovereign, and viable state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two-state solution, which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis, as well as the region.

The King added in the letter that the Palestinian cause remains the central cause for Jordan, noting that Jordanians will continue to stand with the Palestinians as they seek their just, legitimate, and inalienable rights.

Jordan will continue working with the Palestinian Authority to preserve the historical and legal status quo at Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and to safeguard these sites under the Hashemite
Custodianship, His Majesty said.

The King also commended the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its efforts in advocating for the rights of the Palestinians.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Prices of 21-karat gold, the highest demand at the local market, on Tuesday stood at JD40.80 per gramme, as a purchasing price, against JD39.10 as a selling price.

According to the Jordan Jewelers Association’s daily bulletin, the price of 24-karat and 18-karat gold amounted to JD48 and JD36.40, respectively.

Gold prices in global markets on Tuesday reached $2,013 per ounce.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jordan conveyed its heartfelt congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its well-deserved win in hosting the World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, a huge Arab achievement of which Jordan and all Arabs are proud.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, attended the 173rd General Assembly of the International Bureau (BIE-Paris) on Tuesday as part of Jordan’s support for the candidacy of Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the World Expo 2030 elections.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, this victory is regarded as the pinnacle of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s successes and accomplishments in a variety of fields and a testament to its exceptional capacity to host such significant international events, which have gained recognition and admiration across the globe.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of State Wajih Azaizeh and US Ambassador to Jordan Yael Lambert held a meeting in Amman to discuss cooperation and regional developments.

Azaizeh briefed Lambert about Jordan’s efforts to promote the Palestinian struggle, stop the Israeli war on Gaza and push towards protecting civilians and respecting international law.

He noted His Majesty King Abdullah and Jordan’s “firm” support for the two-state solution that would create an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In turn, Lambert lauded the King’s efforts in support of the Palestinian cause, bringing peace to the region and rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands in the besieged enclave and the occupied West Bank.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Chairwoman of the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs, Princess Basma bint Talal, rejected Tuesday domestic violence and violence against women and between spouses.

During the publication of the national report examining the economic cost of violence against women in Jordan, Princess Basma urged decision-makers to leverage the report’s findings to devise programmes and measures to ensure the protection of women from violence.

The report indicates that money women spend to protect themselves from the impact of domestic violence represents 15 per cent of the average annual spending per capita on services and non-food goods.

Princess Basma said the money saved from responding to domestic violence cases should be directed to improving the standards of living for women and their families, providing them with necessary services such as education, health, and adequate housing, developing their careers, and increasing their economic participation.

She noted the “importance” of addressing the ps
ychological impact of violence on families and community peace.

She called for focusing efforts on policies and programmes that reduce cases of violence before they occur to avoid its economic and social consequences on women, families and communities.

The Secretary-General of the Committee, Maha Ali, said the preparation of the report is part of the framework of the goals of the National Strategy for Women for 2023-2025.

The representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Jordan, Himyar Abdulmoghni, stated that the report is an “important achievement” in efforts to confront domestic violence against women, which the Fund is adopting within its vision and programmes with all partners, whether governments, UN bodies or civil society organisations.

Abdulmoghni said domestic violence constitutes a violation of human rights, deepens the effects of discrimination against women and girls and deprives them of their rights.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Investment, Kholoud Saqqaf, engaged in discussions on Tuesday with Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, exploring potential cooperation in promoting investment within the information and communications technology sector across member states of the organization.

During the meeting, Saqqaf outlined the ministry’s operational approach to fostering a competitive business environment for investment projects, with a particular emphasis on the information and communications technology sector.

She emphasized that Jordan stands out as a conducive environment for investment, especially in the rapidly evolving and competitive information and communications technology sector. The Kingdom, she said, boasts factors supporting the investment climate and possesses infrastructure conducive to the growth and development of this sector, which has, in turn, attracted international companies.

Saqqaf highlighted Jordan’s offering of a comprehensive incentive package, including
customs exemptions and tax reductions, particularly for projects investing in the information and communications technology sector. This encompasses software development firms, mobile application developers, call center operators, and other entities within the sector.

The minister further noted the ministry’s initiatives to streamline services related to licensing economic activities, introducing automation to enhance investor convenience, simplify procedures, and expedite services for a prompt and efficient process.

AlYahya, on her part, underscored the organization’s commitment to leveraging technology to foster digital economies aligned with sustainable development goals. She highlighted that the organization, initiated by several countries, aims to enhance cooperation across various fields driven by innovation, ultimately accelerating the growth of the digital economy.

Moreover, AlYahya underlined the organization’s initiatives, including support for women’s empowerment in the digital labor market, and
programs directed at aiding entrepreneurship and small to medium-sized enterprises, contributing to realizing a digital future for all.

Source: Jordan News Agency