Day: 19 February 2024

Amman: The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) participated in the inaugural Arab Postal Leaders Forum held in Muscat, Oman.

The event, organized in partnership with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), spanned three days and gathered over 60 participants from 18 Arab countries, including key figures from the postal sector and the UPU partners. Arab country representatives, postal leaders, and the Secretary-General of the UPU were also in attendance.

In a statement issued on Monday by the TRC, the forum revolved around various topics, primarily focusing on digital transformation and innovation within the Arab postal institutions.

Participants engaged in discussions on global best practices related to digital transformation, aiming to understand the needs, requirements, and challenges faced by postal institutions in the Arab region.

Key areas of focus included e-commerce, the structure of digital services, capabilities of digital transformation in the postal sector, and ensuring the security of pos
tal infrastructure.

Accompanying the forum was an exhibition showcasing the latest digital solutions in the postal sector. Companies had the opportunity to present innovative digital products and services in the field of mail, offering insights into cutting-edge delivery and postal tracking solutions.

During the opening session, Bassam Sarhan, Chairman of the TRC’s Board of Commissioners, highlighted the success story of Jordan’s postal sector in digital transformation and electronic payment.

He emphasized that postal services, as one of humanity’s oldest services, have evolved and diversified over time to meet rapidly changing technological requirements. Keeping pace with digital transformation has become crucial.

Sarhan also emphasized the pivotal role of the information technology sector in Jordan, driving progress across various sectors such as e-commerce, e-government services, digital postal services, and secure payment processes.

On the sidelines of the forum, Sarhan organized a bilateral meeting
with the Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, along with the Omani Telecommunications Regulatery Authority.

This meeting aimed to foster the exchange of experiences and enhance cooperative efforts between the two sides, building upon a previously signed memorandum of understanding.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) participated in the inaugural Arab Postal Leaders Forum held in Muscat, Oman.

The event, organized in partnership with the Universal Postal Union (UPU), spanned three days and gathered over 60 participants from 18 Arab countries, including key figures from the postal sector and the UPU partners. Arab country representatives, postal leaders, and the Secretary-General of the UPU were also in attendance.

In a statement issued on Monday by the TRC, the forum revolved around various topics, primarily focusing on digital transformation and innovation within the Arab postal institutions.

Participants engaged in discussions on global best practices related to digital transformation, aiming to understand the needs, requirements, and challenges faced by postal institutions in the Arab region.

Key areas of focus included e-commerce, the structure of digital services, capabilities of digital transformation in the postal sector, and ensuring the security of pos
tal infrastructure.

Accompanying the forum was an exhibition showcasing the latest digital solutions in the postal sector. Companies had the opportunity to present innovative digital products and services in the field of mail, offering insights into cutting-edge delivery and postal tracking solutions.

During the opening session, Bassam Sarhan, Chairman of the TRC’s Board of Commissioners, highlighted the success story of Jordan’s postal sector in digital transformation and electronic payment.

He emphasized that postal services, as one of humanity’s oldest services, have evolved and diversified over time to meet rapidly changing technological requirements. Keeping pace with digital transformation has become crucial.

Sarhan also emphasized the pivotal role of the information technology sector in Jordan, driving progress across various sectors such as e-commerce, e-government services, digital postal services, and secure payment processes.

On the sidelines of the forum, Sarhan organized a bilateral meeting
with the Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, along with the Omani Telecommunications Regulatery Authority.

This meeting aimed to foster the exchange of experiences and enhance cooperative efforts between the two sides, building upon a previously signed memorandum of understanding.

Source: Jordan News Agency

RAMALLAH: Palestine continues to be affected by the low-pressure cold front today, with rainy, cold and stormy conditions expected in most areas, according to the Palestinian Meteorological Department.

Temperature is expected to slightly drop again. Scattered rain showers, potentially heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms and occasional hail, are expected across most regions. Winds are moderate to brisk, southwesterly to westerly, and occasionally gusting strongly. Sea waves are medium to high.

In the evening and night hours, the weather will remain cloudy and intensely cold, with rainfall, thunderstorms, and occasional hail across most areas.

Weather on Tuesday is expected to be partly to mostly cloudy, with a slight rise in temperature, which yet remains cold to very cold. A chance of scattered rain showers are expected over some areas.

Moving on to next Wednesday, the weather is forecasted to be partly cloudy, with an additional rise in temperatures, maintaining a cold to very cold atmosphere.

Thursd
ay’s weather is expected to be partially cloudy to clear with slight rise in temperature.

People are warned about the risk of flash floods and flooding in valleys and low-lying areas, strong wind speeds, the danger of slippery roads, and reduced horizontal visibility.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA

Amman: Lower House Speaker, Ahmad Safadi, received on Monday the Speaker of the Algerian People’s National Assembly (APN), Ibrahim Boughali, President of the Parliaments of the Union of Councils of Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the accompanying delegation of members of the APN, in the presence of Algerian Ambassador to Jordan Abdulkarim Behha.

Safadi and Boughali will hold official talks at the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday, which will cover ways to boost bilateral relations, especially parliamentary ones, and the prospects of joint cooperation between the two countries.

Safadi said that Jordan and Algeria have strong relations led by His Majesty King Abdullah II and his brother, His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and that it is important to build on the outcomes of the summit that brought together the two leaders about a year ago in Algeria, which laid the foundation for a close stage of cooperation in all fields.

Safadi added: “We welcome the visit of Sp
eaker Boughali and the accompanying delegation, and we look forward to coordinating common positions in the service of the two brotherly countries and peoples.”

The Algerian delegation was received by: First Deputy House Speaker Abdul Rahim Al-Maaytah, Assistant House Speaker Mayada Shreim, Chair of the Jordanian-Algerian Parliamentary Brotherhood Committee MP Marwa Al-Saoub, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Khaldoun Hina, and Member of the Jordanian-Algerian Parliamentary Brotherhood Committee MP Mejhem Al-Suqur.

The Algerian delegation includes members of the APN: Mouloud Habnasi, Deputy Speaker, MP Abdel Majid Meshri, MP Abdelkader Aziz, MP Tahar Ben Ali, MP Sassi Harizi, MP Aicha Ben Turki, MP Al Wardi Braji, Abdel Malek Grin, Advisor to the Speaker, and Mahfouzi Chaker Abdel Razzaq, Director of International Relations and Parliamentary Cooperation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Riyadh: Minister of Government Communications, Muhannad Mubaidin, met with the Saudi Minister of Media, Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, and the Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Al-Badrani, in two separate meetings on Monday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the Saudi Media Forum, which kicks off Tuesday.

During his meeting with the Saudi Minister of Media, Mubaidin discussed ways to enhance media cooperation between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and to exchange expertise and visits between media institutions in the two countries in order to reflect on performance development and the strength of joint Arab work.

The Saudi minister lauded the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, and the need to strengthen them in various fields, especially in the media field.

In his meeting with the Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Mubaidin, who is also the government spokesperson, commended the ties between Jordan and Iraq and the keenness t
o strengthen them in various fields, especially in the media field.

The Iraqi minister praised the level of coordination and media cooperation between the two countries, which was reflected into memoranda of understanding between media institutions in the two countries and the exchange of visits between media delegations in the two countries.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Aqaba: Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Nayef Al Fayez, received a Lebanese delegation representing 24 offices of tour operators and travel agencies.

The delegation is visiting Jordan in cooperation with the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and the private sector.

The meeting covered ways of cooperating and attracting more tourists to Jordan in general and Aqaba in particular.

Al Fayez spoke about ASEZA’s efforts to draw Lebanese tourists during the meeting, which was also attended by Peter Marji, Director of Tourism at ASEZA, and Khalid Al-Kilani, JTB’s representative in the Lebanese market. Al Fayez highlighted the facilities that ASEZA offers visitors to enjoy the unique tourist product in its various forms in Aqaba, the head of the Golden Triangle (Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra), including environmental tourism, diving, adventures, recreation, and a variety of water sports.

For their part, the Lebanese tourism agencies lauded the tourism product in Aqaba city as a major
tourist destination on the regional and international levels, stressing the importance of establishing direct flight routes from Aqaba to Beirut, especially during the active tourism seasons in Aqaba.

Marji highlighted ASEZA’s marketing plan for the tourism product by inviting bloggers, social media activists, and chefs to visit Jordan as part of special influencer trips for food and cooking specialists to focus on the diversity of services related to food, beverage, and hospitality in Jordan (food tourism) during 2022 and 2023.

He added that ASEZA is maintaining follow-up through the Tourism Directorate, which provides tourism and travel agencies with new and updated information about traveling to Jordan, in addition to providing them with pictures and short videos about key tourist sites, as well as continuous communication with influencers on social media platforms and various media outlets, and publishing information and pictures about Jordan during their previous visits, noting that the number of touri
sts from Lebanon to Jordan in 2019-2023 amounted to about 60,000 tourists.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) said that the electricity load recorded on Monday evening amounted to 3,850 megawatts (mw), while the maximum load recorded in the current winter season reached 4,050 mw.

The highest electricity load in the history of the Kingdom reached 4,220 mw and was recorded in August.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday received United Arab Emirates Federal National Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash.

According to a royal court statement, His Majesty stressed the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the UAE, and keenness to advance them further, especially at the parliamentary level.

Turning to regional developments, the King reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of civilians, while ensuring the sustainable flow of humanitarian aid.

His Majesty commended the UAE’s diplomatic efforts to push for a ceasefire, as well as its humanitarian efforts to support Gazans and continue to deliver aid.

House of Representatives Speaker Ahmad Safadi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has introduced a policy paper and action plan aimed at advancing the insurance sector in Jordan.

The announcement came during a session titled “Financing for Insurance Development in Jordan,” part of the activities under the Inclusive Insurance and Risk-Financing Project facilitated by the UNDP.

The document sets out to tackle the primary challenges within the insurance sector, aiming to broaden and enhance the range of policies, products, and capabilities available. This initiative seeks to ensure equitable access to financial services across the board.

Ziad Ghanma, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, remarked that the session builds upon previous efforts and meetings to carry out the insurance inclusion and risk financing project. This project represents the collaborative efforts between the Central Bank and the UNDP.

Ghanma expressed optimism that the meeting would lead to actionable recommendat
ions and solutions.

He highlighted the Central Bank’s goal to expand the insurance sector’s contribution to Jordan’s GDP, emphasizing the importance of cooperation across all stakeholders.

Nidal Ouran, representing the UNDP and serving as the Director of the Environment and Climate Change Program, underscored the significance of insurance coverage and risk financing as crucial safety nets. These measures aim to protect individuals and livelihoods from the impacts of various crises.

The project intends to develop innovative insurance products catering to the needs of vulnerable groups and small-scale farmers, with a focus on involving the private sector and incorporating technology for a sustainable agricultural sector and parametric insurance system.

The action plan outlines future intervention areas to support the sector, detailing mechanisms, indicators, and responsible entities, including the Central Bank, the Jordanian Federation of Insurance Companies, and other key institutions involved in the proje
ct.

Discussions will engage sector experts to pinpoint gaps, gather recommendations for policy adjustments or the introduction of new policies. These may include legislative changes to foster inclusiveness and product innovation, such as microinsurance for low-income groups.

The initiative also aims to enhance consumer understanding of insurance products and to leverage digital transformation strategies to widen reach and improve service efficiency.

The UNDP collaborates with stakeholders in the insurance sector to develop and implement strategies and tools, ensuring insurance product availability and benefits for all society segments, particularly the disadvantaged. This effort aligns with the UNDP’s strategic goals of reducing disparities, promoting inclusive growth, and achieving sustainable development targets.

The Insurance Inclusion Project, a key initiative of the UNDP Sustainable Finance Center, forms part of the UNDP Global Policy Network. It embodies the UNDP’s support for insurance and risk fin
ancing, offering policies, methodologies, networks, and partnerships to foster innovation in insurance products and services.

The project also focuses on the long-term transformation of insurance markets, aiming to bolster societal and economic resilience against various shocks and crises.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) signed an initial agreement on Monday to extend the implementation of the Partnership Program with the European Union (EU) in the fields of research and innovation in the Prima region of the Mediterranean.

The agreement was inked by the HCST Secretary-General, Mashhour Al-Rifai, and the EU’s Director for Global Approach and International Cooperation, Maria Cristina Russo, in the presence of Jordan’s Ambassador to Brussels, Saja Al-Majali.

Al-Rifai underscored the significance of the forthcoming official agreement signing in Amman, noting its role in bolstering Jordan’s international partnerships in research and innovation. He lauded the Prima program and its collaborative efforts in supporting scientific research projects across member countries of the Mediterranean basin, both north and south, in tandem with the EU, particularly in areas concerning water, food, and agricultural systems.

Highlighting the initiative’s endeavors, he elaborated on th
e regional program crafted by the HCST, functioning within a coalition of 19 nations. This program focuses on the development and application of joint scientific research aimed at devising innovative solutions to challenges associated with sustainable food production and water supply in the Mediterranean basin. The budget allocated for this spans approximately 500 million euros covering the period from 2018 to 2024.

The Jordanian government has entrusted the HCST with renewing the agreement for an additional three years, extending until 2027. This decision stems from the program’s notable achievements through collaborative support among initiative countries alongside the EU, aligning scientific and research activities with national priorities in sync with developmental trajectories.

Al-Rifai’s participation in the multilateral dialogue conference on the principles and values of international cooperation in research and innovation, organized by the EU, underscores Jordan’s commitment to enhancing its engagem
ent with the Euro-Mediterranean community in international cooperation in research and innovation.

The rapid advancements in research and technology globally and their consequential impact on shaping future actions in international research cooperation and funding were key points of discussion during the conference. Ethical principles were also emphasized, with a focus on integrity and ethics in scientific research, and the imperative of achieving equitable opportunities and benefits for all parties involved.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Occupied Jerusalem: An Israeli anti-settlement NGO unveiled a government plan to expand or build new settlements inside or near Palestinian neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Ir Amim human rights organization said that 17 structural designs have been forwarded for Israelis inside the “Green Line” in occupied East Jerusalem since October 7, involving the construction of more than 8,400 settlement units, including four new settlements inside or near Palestinian neighborhoods.

At a time when the eyes of the world are turned on the Gaza Strip and the Lebanese border, projects are being promoted in settlements east of Jerusalem at an unprecedented speed, and are quickly approved by Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, the organization said.

It said the occupation government was using the war on Gaza to create new facts in the Palestinian territories, this time in the “Novi Rahil” settlement, which will be built at the entrance to the main Umm Tuba neighborhood southeast of occupied Jerusalem, w
here 650 new settler units will be built.

Source: Jordan News Agency