Day: February 4, 2024

Amman: Chairman of the Parliamentary Public Liberties and Human Rights Committee, Abdullah Abu Zeid, highlighted Jordan’s commitment to upholding information rights during a committee meeting held on Sunday. He emphasized the country’s ratification of numerous international treaties aimed at protecting the right to access information.

Abu Zeid underscored that the Jordanian Constitution not only guarantees freedom of expression but also highlights various national institutions dedicated to safeguarding human rights.

The meeting, which aimed to discuss a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), addressed aspects of social accountability mechanisms and the right to access information in Jordan. Representatives from the organization and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation were in attendance.

Abu Zeid commended Jordan’s legislative progress, noting the approval of a comprehensive set of laws aimed at achieving the highest standards of justice and transpar
ency. Among these, the most recent one guarantees the right to access information, reinforcing the principles of transparency.

The Chairman also shed light on the pivotal role played by the Oversight and Legislative Council. He explained that the Lower House of Parliament comprises twenty committees, including the Public Liberties and Human Rights Committee, which focuses on reviewing laws and proposals related to human rights. Additionally, it monitors the executive authority to ensure the protection of human rights and addresses complaints related to human rights violations within the Kingdom.

Abu Zeid further stressed that the committee consistently monitors both domestic and international human rights issues. It has paid particular attention to unprecedented violations and crimes against the people of the Gaza Strip.

Regarding the international community’s stance, Abu Zeid pointed out the apparent powerlessness in the face of what Israel and its Western supporters describe as a “just war” and “legitima
te self-defense.”

He expressed concern that with each strike by the occupation army on Gaza, international humanitarian law’s values and principles erode, leading to a situation where the international system relating to human rights risks losing credibility and significance.

Ghazi Thneibat, head of the Legal Committee, highlighted the significant amendments made to the law guaranteeing the right to access information. He described this law as modern and aligned with recently enacted legislation.

Thneibat noted that a joint committee introduced limited amendments to the draft law submitted to the Council four years ago. These amendments included the participation of the Jordan Press and Bar associations, as well as representatives from civil society, in the Information Council.

Representatives Majid Rawashdeh and Asma Rawahneh emphasized the House of Representatives’ commitment to transparency in the legislation it approves. They underlined that Jordanian laws, particularly the Jordanian Constitution, ens
ure the right to freedom of expression.

The law guaranteeing the right to access information incorporates crucial provisions, including the establishment of the Information Council, the involvement of civil society organizations, and the obligation for departments to classify information according to the information classification and indexing mechanism.

The leader of the OECD team clarified that the organization maintains a technical, non-political focus. She explained that the report aims to uphold the highest standards of transparency and impartiality, ultimately contributing to safeguarding the right to information. The report’s central focus is on social accountability and the promotion of transparency.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans has initiated its “Winter Clothing” campaign, extending assistance to young orphaned boys and girls under its living support program, aimed at ensuring their basic needs and fostering a dignified life.

This campaign calls for donations to procure blankets and jackets for 200 male and female students among the fund’s beneficiaries. Its objective is to imbue these individuals with a sense of familial warmth, underscoring their integral role within the Al-Aman community.

Nour Hamoud, Director General of the Al-Aman Fund, emphasized the collective societal responsibility to provide aid and empowerment to orphaned youth, striving to enhance their education and living standards. She noted that the campaign is part of ongoing efforts to offer essential support, encompassing housing, monthly stipends, health coverage, and now, warm winter attire.

The fund offers various avenues for donations, facilitating contributions through its website https://alamanfund.jo/, by
selecting “Alaman” and “AmanFund”, or via direct contact at 065330500 or electronic wallets.

Established in 2006 under the initiative of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the Al-Aman Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to securing a brighter future for orphans through educational and rehabilitative programs, empowering them towards self-reliance. Apart from scholarships at universities, colleges, and vocational training centers, the fund extends living support, including housing, health insurance, monthly stipends, and skill-building initiatives.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Israeli occupation forces committed 13 “massacres” during the past 24 hours in the Gaza Strip, leaving 127 dead and 205 injured, according to health officials in Gaza.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday that the number of deaths in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing aggression by Israeli forces rose to 28,985, and the wounded to 68,883.

The Ministry confirmed that there are still bodies under the rubble and on the roads, as the occupation prevents ambulance and civil defense crews from reaching them.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: CEO of the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF) Ezz El-Din Kanakaria announced that the size of the fund’s assets at the end of 2023 amounted to approximately JD14.9 billion, compared to JD13.8 billion at the end of 2022, marking a growth rate of about 7.6 percent, as per preliminary financial statements for 2023.

Kanakaria stated in a press statement on Sunday that the commendable performance of the investment portfolios in 2023 led to a growth in net income by 17.3 percent, reaching about JD802 million by the end of 2023, compared to approximately JD684 million for the same period in 2022. This income stemmed from a bond portfolio worth JD483.7 million, a stock portfolio worth JD147.5 million, a money market instruments portfolio worth JD119.9 million, alongside income generated from real estate and loan portfolios.

The increase in asset size, amounting to JD1.1 billion, derived from a comprehensive income of JD667 million, representing the fund’s income from investment instruments worth JD802 mi
llion, minus a decrease in the stock valuation reserve of JD135 million, in addition to an insurance surplus transferred from the General Organization for Social Security, totaling about JD380 million.

Kanakaria stated that the investment portfolios’ key components maintained stability in line with specified ratios in the investment policy, distributed among financial instruments with stable returns and low-risk levels. The bond portfolio comprised 57.2 percent of the fund’s total, the stock portfolio 15.9 percent, the money market instruments portfolio 13.7 percent, real estate investment portfolio 5.7 percent, loan portfolio 3.7 percent, and tourism investment portfolio 2.2 percent.

He noted that the value of the stock portfolio of public and private joint-stock companies amounted to about JD2.3 billion, with approximately JD2.1 billion invested in companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange, representing about 12.4 percent of the exchange’s total market value. The fund’s share of cash dividends distribu
ted in 2023 for 2022 company operations amounted to JD152 million, marking the highest in the fund’s history.

Furthermore, the fund continued to expand its real estate investment portfolio through land and real estate acquisitions, alongside signing new leasing and investment contracts in 2023. Under international accounting standards, the book profits of the real estate portfolio for 2023 exceeded JD180 million compared to historical possession cost.

Regarding projects, Kanakaria mentioned Al-Daman Company for Investment and Agricultural Industries planting over 19,000 dunums in the Al-Mudawara area, providing job opportunities for residents and seasonal workers. In tourism, the Amman Paradise Hotel resumed operations, offering permanent job opportunities, while the National Tourism Company for Tourism Development leased Karak Rest House and completed maintenance work on Zee Resthouse.

Expansion and rehabilitation work at the Crowne Plaza Petra Hotel continue, including modernizing facilities and construc
ting a conference hall. Additionally, preparations for a solar power generation station in Shoubak are ongoing.

The fund reported increased investments in the King Hussein bin Talal Development Zone/Mafraq to approximately JD500 million, creating job opportunities through operating factories and new investments. The Mafraq Development Company attracted seven new investments worth JD55 million, expected to generate more than 400 permanent job opportunities.

As part of its efforts to institutionalize corporate governance, the fund organized governance forums for representatives on boards of companies it contributes to, aiming to enhance value and cooperation among shareholders.

Kanakaria concluded by expressing the fund’s commitment to achieving long-term goals through flexible institutional investment approaches, diversification of investment portfolios, and contributing to economic modernization projects. He emphasized the importance of investments in achieving societal and environmental sustainability and
corporate governance rules, with ongoing evaluation of new investment opportunities in mining, energy, and real estate development sectors.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Renowned experts and specialists in the construction sector convened at the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) to deliberate on a voluntary energy rating and labeling checklist designed for newly licensed buildings in Jordan.

The checklist is devised with the objective of optimizing energy utilization within structures, conserving precious natural resources, ensuring thermal comfort for occupants, and mitigating emissions.

Inaugurating the discussion session Sunday, Raafat Assi, Vice President of the RSS, underscored the collaborative partnership with the United Nations Development Programme in the implementation of this pioneering checklist.

The core purpose is to elevate the quality of building structures while minimizing expenses during the phases of conception, execution, and maintenance.

This is to be achieved through the application of comprehensive guidelines and directives, thereby enhancing competitiveness within the construction industry, safeguarding consumers’ interests, and expediting cost
recovery timelines.

Assi emphasized the trailblazing role assumed by the RSS across all its domains in serving the nation. This entails active collaboration with both domestic institutions and international entities, all in the pursuit of realizing the United Nations’ sustainable development objectives. Furthermore, it aligns with the broader agenda of contributing to the economic vision initiatives recently launched by Jordan.

He further articulated that the association, leveraging its various centers and departments, plays an instrumental role in sustainable development. This is manifest through the execution of studies and projects aimed at optimizing resource efficiency, rationalizing energy and water consumption, safeguarding the environment, and counteracting the effects of climate change.

The association’s experts provided comprehensive insights into the proposed energy rating and labeling checklist during the seminar. This included a discussion of the overall implementation framework and the techni
cal underpinnings of the checklist.

The seminar encompassed two distinct sessions. The first, titled “Proposal for Incentives and Benefits,” featured contributions from the Executive Director of Licensing at the Greater Amman Municipality, a representative from the Central Bank, the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund, the Association of Banks in Jordan, and a representative from the private sector.

The second session, titled “The Legislative Framework for Implementing the Checklist,” saw active participation from the Secretary of the National Building Council, the Chairman of the Engineering Offices and Companies Authority, the Head of the Architectural Engineering Division at the Jordanian Engineers Association, the Executive Director of Licensing at the Amman Municipality, and a representative from the private sector.

Source: Jordan News Agency

SHARJAH: In November 2021, Fahad Badar, an Arab mountaineer from Qatar, underwent surgery, having four fingers on his left hand amputated due to frostbite at 8,051 metres on Broadpeak. Doctors didn’t expect him to resume mountaineering for at least a couple of years. However, in less than a year, in July 2022, Badar scaled K2, the world’s second-highest peak, famously known as the savage mountain for its arduous and unpredictable climbing conditions.

The passionate adventure traveller told his Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2024) audience on the event’s inaugural day to never give up their passions at an inspiring talk ‘To the Summit: Finding the Strength to Keep Moving Forward’, he led at the SEF 2024 Creative Stage, one of the four specialised zones the festival offers under the theme ‘Our Shared Canvas’.

‘Mountaineering is my passion, and I was devastated when doctors said that I would take at least a couple of years to recover and adapt well to doing basic things with a hand with no fingers. Peo
ple were quick to pronounce an end to my passion for climbing. Even I became afraid of my life. I wondered how I would tie my shoelace. But instead of worrying, I channelled my fears, and without telling anyone of my plans, I trained hard for my next climb and was able to scale K2 in 10 months. Fear can fuel success; we should learn how to channel our worries and fear positively,” said Badar while delivering his talk.

Badar is the first Arab mountaineer to summit two of the world’s highest mountains, Everest and Lhotse, in one trip. His life story is an inspiration to people in all walks of life. “Achievements can make one complacent and comfortable, but it is failure that fuels the desire to succeed and achieve new feats,” said Badar, encouraging people to work hard and chase their dreams.

When asked if he ever feels like giving up, Badar surprised the audience and said, “Almost every day. Giving up is easy. I have an urge to give up almost every day, but I also have a burning desire to keep my passion for
mountaineering alive and continue scaling new heights, which keeps me going. We should learn how to deal with stress. We should be able to understand the reasons for our stress and worries and work around them to our advantage. I strongly believe that a few days of pain lead to years of glory.”

Badar was part of a stellar lineup of speakers and panellists sharing invaluable advice and wisdom on the Creative Stage on the first day of the Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival 2024.

The stage witnessed invigorating performances by Ebrahim Al Dubai, Aafarynesh, Elijah Semine, Ananya, and Big Hass. Kim A. Page, Founder of Right Kind of Loud, hosted a workshop on ‘Making Yourself Unforgettable – Networking and Connecting,’ emphasising the importance of networking and showcasing one’s work on public and digital platforms. The Sharjah Youth Council Discussion Circle hosted a panel discussion on ‘Starting a Business in Sharjah’ with speakers Dr. Alia Abdel Wahab Al Madani, Co-founder of Yeppley Project Specialist, Head o
f Oral, Maxillofacial, and Humaid Al Kindi, Head of the Institutional Excellence Department, Vice President of the Sharjah Youth Council.

Maha Al-Saati, a Saudi Arabian female film-maker, shared her views on ‘Making Films from What We Know,’ while Kareem Abou Gamrah, Co-founder and CEO of Peace Cake, shared some good advice on ‘Future-proof Content Creation.’ The stage also hosted an important talk on ‘Mental Health in the World of Content Creation’ by renowned Emirati influencer Khalid Al Ameri. Lastly, the stage featured the Seffy Awards Emerging Founders Pitch.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Cairo: A French parliamentary delegation visiting the Rafah border crossing called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and throughout the region.

Following the delegation’s inspection of the Rafah land crossing and relief aid, the delegation stressed in a statement read by the head of the delegation, MP Eric Coquerel, the need to silence the weapons and release the Israeli detainees, “including our citizens,” as well as the Palestinian prisoners, starting with those held administratively.

The delegation also expressed its support for UNRWA in its indispensable humanitarian mission.

The French parliamentarians underlined that the negotiations should quickly include the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the end of the blockade imposed on the Palestinian territories, the cessation of settlement construction in the West Bank, and the confiscation of property in East Jerusalem.

The delegation emphasized the need for these negotiations to be based on international law and the recognition of the rights
of the Palestinian people, which have been reaffirmed by numerous UN resolutions; it is also a condition for the return to peace that is indispensable for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, and more broadly for all the peoples of the region.

The French parliamentary delegation pointed out that their visit to the Rafah crossing comes in solidarity with all civilians, and to meet with humanitarian associations working to help refugees and the wounded as friends of all peoples and supporters of peace and international law.

The delegation condemned the killing of more than 27,000 Palestinians and 365 martyrs in the Gaza Strip and nearly 400 martyrs in the occupied West Bank, the majority of them women and children, by the Israeli army.

The delegation of French parliamentarians is the first foreign parliamentary delegation to come to the Rafah border crossing.

Source: Jordan News Agency