AGP Executive Report

Aqaba Arts & Environment: Twelve artists from Jordan and Switzerland are in Aqaba for the second season of “voices of coral,” turning marine observations into comics to boost Red Sea coral conservation. Amman Film Culture: The 11th Jordan International Film Festival opened in Amman under the patronage of the Culture Minister, honoring key film figures and launching a five-day lineup with 8 competing films. Tourism Through Storytelling: Jordanian travel filmmaker Joe Hattab returned for a documentary tour with the Jordan Tourism Board, spotlighting Petra and other destinations after his Petra videos drew massive online engagement. Literature & Identity: Yinal Jihad Abu Hashish’s novel “Memories in Hell” explores heredity and recurring “hell” through a non-linear, confession-driven narrative. Women’s Education Push: A Jordanian student story highlights how returning to university after years away can lead to top results, even while balancing family life. Women in Sports: Lebanon and Jordan won gold and silver at the WAVA women’s volleyball championship in Amman, supported by FIVB Volleyball Empowerment. Women in Agriculture: Princess Basma bint Talal backed a national meeting to put women farmers’ priorities into policy and the National Strategy for Women in Jordan. Education Access: Jordan expanded the free school transport project in the southern Badia, adding 3,500 students to improve safe, consistent attendance. Regional Holy-Site Condemnations: Jordan joined Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in condemning Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound visit, warning against changing the site’s status quo.

Jordanian Culture & Heritage: Aqaba wrapped up the 12th Jordanian International Golden Triangle Cultural and Tourism Festival 2026, spotlighting poetry, literature, heritage shows, and cultural activities across the Petra–Wadi Rum–Aqaba triangle. Arts & Ideas: Amman’s writer Arwa Zaidan Al-Lala explores inner transformation in Jaffa and the Chrysanthemum Flower, using a symbolic “inner garden” to map emotions, memory, and purpose. Visual Arts: Jordanian artist Nour Sarhan reshapes real scenes into imaginative compositions, blending multiple media and a research-driven approach to meaning. Health & Lifestyle: A local study reports 32.9% of Jordanian teens (10–17) are overweight or obese, linking higher gaming hours and low daily physical activity to rising risk. Education Access: The Badia free school transport project expands to 12,500 students, aiming to improve safe, consistent attendance. Digital Transformation: Crown Prince Al Hussein’s directives boost Jordan’s digital push, including further development of the “Sanad” app and a connected national database. Music in Jordan: Handel’s Messiah was performed at Mukawir, pairing a Hungarian orchestra with Arab instruments under EU support and Prince El Hassan’s patronage. Regional Spotlight: Jordan joined Arab condemnations of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including missile targeting Riyadh. Culture & Tourism: Amman Design Week returns for its fourth edition after a seven-year absence.

Education Access: Jordan’s southern Badia free school transport expands to 12,500 students (up from 9,000), adding 3,500 more boys and girls plus about 900 teachers from the second semester—aimed at making safe, regular attendance easier. Health & Youth Lifestyle: A local study of 403 teenagers (10–17) finds 32.9% are overweight or obese, linking higher gaming hours with poorer self-rated physical and mental health; researchers urge school and family-focused prevention. Arts & Literature: Amman writer Arwa Zaidan Al-Lala explores inner growth through her book Jaffa and the Chrysanthemum Flower, using symbols like chrysanthemum, lavender and sunflower to map emotion, memory and purpose. Visual Arts: Artist Nour Sarhan reshapes real scenes into imaginative compositions, blending Japanese language and anthropology with multi-medium practice. Culture & Heritage: Aqaba closed the 12th Golden Triangle Cultural and Tourism Festival with poetry, art, heritage showcases and intellectual sessions, reinforcing culture as a tourism bridge. Digital Transformation: Crown Prince directives highlight continued progress on the “Sanad” app and a connected national database to improve public services. Performing Arts: The Dhofar International Theatre Festival runs with 15 productions from nine countries, spotlighting regional theatre alongside international work. Music in Jordan: Handel’s Messiah was performed at Mukawir, tied to the John the Baptist tradition, blending Hungarian orchestral forces with Arab instruments.

Jordan’s Digital Push: Crown Prince Al Hussein’s directives are boosting Jordan’s digital transformation, with experts pointing to expanding the “Sanad” app, strengthening a secure national database, and using AI in healthcare, education, and transport. Royal Diplomacy: King Abdullah met Czech leaders in Prague, urging de-escalation in the region and warning against annexation and settlement expansion in the West Bank and violations at holy sites. Heritage in Focus: A EU-supported performance of Handel’s “Messiah” took place at Mukawir, pairing a Hungarian orchestra with Arab instruments and linking music to Jordan’s St. John the Baptist heritage. Culture & Community: Amman Design Week returns for its fourth edition after a seven-year absence, signaling fresh momentum for local creative life. Global Travel Perks (Jordan in the mix): The US Global Entry list includes Jordan, while Australia published its visa-free transit rules for 70+ countries—both shaping how Jordanians plan international trips. Human Stories: A new book on Middle East history argues the region’s past feels “more alive,” blending wars with everyday life.

Jordanian Culture & Heritage: A Handel’s “Messiah” performance at Mukawir in Jordan blended a Hungarian orchestra with Arab instruments like oud and qanun, linking music to the hilltop fortress tied to John the Baptist’s story and framed as EU-backed cultural exchange. Royal Diplomacy: King Abdullah met Czech leaders in Prague, stressing de-escalation, respect for international law, and warning against settlement expansion and violations at Muslim and Christian holy sites. Regional Security: Arab and regional officials, including Jordan, condemned Houthi attacks on Taif, while explosions in Riyadh followed air-raid alerts; shipping through the Red Sea chokepoint stayed active but thinned. Culture & Community: Amman Design Week returns for its fourth edition after a seven-year gap, signaling fresh momentum for local creative life. Education & Mobility: The US added Jordan to its Global Entry fast-track list, easing airport immigration clearance for eligible travelers. Science & Health: A Jordan-linked research review highlights bioinspired and biomimetic nanocarriers for next-gen therapeutic delivery.

Jordanian diplomacy: King Abdullah met Czech leaders in Prague, stressing de-escalation, respect for international law, and warning against West Bank annexation and settlement expansion, while highlighting deepening Jordan–Czech cooperation. Culture & identity: A Church of England move rescinded an interfaith award after a Muslim cleric’s resurfaced praise for Osama bin Laden sparked backlash. Travel & lifestyle: The US listed Jordan among 23 countries whose citizens can use Global Entry for faster airport immigration clearance. Community tensions: A US teacher’s “push factors” lesson linked Holocaust persecution with post-9/11 discrimination against Muslims, drawing criticism over classroom comparisons. Heritage finds: Archaeologists reported a rare first-century synagogue and carved stone at ancient Magdala near the Sea of Galilee. Regional security: Reports say Jordan intercepted Iranian drones passing through its airspace amid wider Red Sea and Gulf tensions.

Jordan–France Diplomacy: King Abdullah II met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, with a joint statement highlighting deeper defence and security coordination and broader regional talks. Palestinian Cause & Holy Sites: Jordan’s Senate Palestine Committee met the Holy See’s ambassador to stress protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and warn against changes to Al-Aqsa’s status. West Bank Settlements Trade Curbs: The UK, followed by France and Canada, moved to ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements, targeting companies and services tied to settlement expansion. Religious Tolerance in Practice: Christian scholars in Kaduna visited Jama’atu Nasril Islam to promote peace and coexistence ahead of the UN International Day of Peace. Culture & Language: Qatar Foundation’s Bil-Arabi 2026 in Doha drew 1,600+ applicants, aiming to push science and innovation through Arabic. Arts & Spotlight: Nia Long received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a major cultural milestone for Black cinema. Regional Security Watch: Lebanon sought international support in Paris to strengthen the Lebanese army and restore state sovereignty amid ongoing pressures.

Jordan–France Diplomacy: King Abdullah II met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, with both sides stressing deeper coordination on regional and international issues and highlighting a new defense cooperation framework. Palestinian Cause & Holy Sites: Jordan’s Senate Palestine Committee met the Vatican’s ambassador to discuss Jerusalem’s holy sites, warning against moves that change the status quo at Al-Aqsa and restrict access. West Bank Settlements: The UK, followed by France and Canada, announced bans on goods from illegal Israeli settlements and targeted sanctions on companies and individuals tied to settlement expansion. Arts & Identity in Syria: Singer Asala’s “Syrian Album” sparked a public clash over music, gender mixing, and who gets to define national identity, with state backing on one side and religious opposition on the other. Jordanian Culture Spotlight: Amman artist Taleb Al-Suqour’s work revisits local place through stone, arches, doors, and layered color. Education & Culture Events: Amman Design Week returns for its fourth edition after a seven-year absence, while Jordan also announced a Space Week 2026 program mixing astronomy, education, and student innovation. Media & Rights: Jordan urged authorities to drop the case against American journalist Ali Younes, saying the Cybercrime Law prosecution chills discussion and dissent.

Amman Arts & Memory: Visual artist Taleb Al-Suqour is spotlighted for murals and paintings that treat place like a living archive—old stone houses, arches, doors, and shifting light become layered symbols of Jordanian village life. Freedom & Democracy in Print: A new book, Mu’nis Al-Razzaz: “This Is How He Thought”, gathers essays from 1990–1993 on freedom, democracy, dignity, and the need for dialogue and reform. Culture & Health Talk: A feature asks why many people born in the 1985–1995 “90s kids” range look younger, pointing to lifestyle pressures, stress, smoking/vaping, and early cosmetic “enhancements.” Jordan–China Ties: The Chinese Embassy marks China’s 77th founding anniversary in Amman, highlighting King Abdullah II’s recent China visit and new cooperation in trade, energy, tourism, education, and emerging tech. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Jordan’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing continues road rehabilitation and expansion to improve connectivity, logistics, and access to markets, ports, and tourism zones. Education & Water Funding: Jordan and Germany sign €96.5m deals via KfW—€36.5m for Syrian refugee education access and €60m for Azraq water adaptation and transmission upgrades. Disability Rights: Italy’s ambassador meets Prince Mired bin Ra’ad to reaffirm cooperation on disability inclusion and accessible tourism. Amman Design Week Returns: Amman Design Week reopens after seven years under Queen Rania’s patronage, with “Accumulations” running Oct 2–17 and hundreds of events across the city.

Amman Design Week Returns: Queen Rania’s initiative is back after a seven-year break, with Amman Design Week 2026 running Oct. 2–17 under “Accumulations,” featuring 220+ designers and makers, 204 events, and new permanent public projects. Jordan–Germany Deals: Jordan signed €96.5m financing agreements with Germany’s KfW for education support for Syrian refugee children (€36.5m) and water infrastructure in Azraq (€60m). World Space Week 2026: Jordan will launch a national Space Week program Oct. 4–10 with astronomy activities, teacher training, and a student rocket-design competition. Royal Court & Community: The Royal Hashemite Court chief met the North Amman Cultural and Community Forum, stressing Jordan’s stability through institutions, leadership, and public service. Road Projects: The Ministry of Public Works and Housing continues major road rehabilitation and expansion across governorates to improve connectivity for trade, tourism, and services. Culture & Books: Jordanian author Zuhair Tawfiq was among winners at the 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award, while Jordan’s visual arts scene highlights exhibitions like “Athar” (Trace) by Kamal Abu Halawa. Disability Rights: Italy’s ambassador met Prince Mired bin Ra’ad to reaffirm cooperation on disability rights and accessible tourism.

Jordanian Arts & Memory: Kamal Abu Halawa’s “Athar (Trace)” opened in Amman, turning memory into shifting color, line, and space rather than a fixed picture of the past. Local Art Spotlight: Mohammad Al-Turki’s decades-long brushwork keeps old Amman alive, preserving details that may vanish from everyday life. Space & Education: Jordan will launch World Space Week 2026 (Oct 4–10) with astronomy events, teacher training, and a student rocket-and-research competition under “Rocket Revolution.” Women, Faith & Youth: Jordanian readers will likely relate to the wider regional spotlight on Qur’anic excellence as Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu honored Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi with N20m after her King Abdulaziz competition win. Volunteering Culture: Jordan’s Youth Ministry is preparing to expand university participation in the Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work’s 4th edition. Human Rights Watch: The National Center for Human Rights released its 2025 annual report, outlining key challenges and recommendations for strengthening rights protections. Education Funding: Jordan and Germany signed €96.5m in financing for education access for Syrian refugee children and climate-resilient water upgrades in Azraq. Sports & Community: BNZ Breakers moved fast after an injury blow, securing Mojave King as a replacement ahead of the new NBL season.

Education & Water Funding: Jordan and Germany signed €96.5m in KfW financing—€36.5m to keep Syrian refugee children in formal schooling and €60m for Azraq wellfield and the main transmission line to protect drinking water and cut salinity. Women’s Economic Empowerment: Jordan is ahead of schedule on World Bank targets, with women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion surging under the Women’s Economic Opportunities Project. Human Rights Watch: The National Center for Human Rights released its 2025 annual report, stressing follow-up on recommendations and stronger protection mechanisms. Private School Costs: A new debate asks whether private-school fee hikes truly match education quality, calling for clearer indicators for families. Climate Risk Focus: Jordan is urged to use a Climate Risk Index that maps who is most vulnerable—not just where hazards hit—so support reaches the hardest-hit communities. Volunteering Culture: The Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work is preparing its 4th edition, with universities invited to expand youth participation. Film & Books: Amman’s Jordan International Film Festival opens its 11th edition (Sept 20–24), while the Amman International Book Fair’s Silver Jubilee doubles down on “the Jordanian narrative,” with Qatar strongly represented. Higher Education Spotlight: The University of Applied Sciences ranks top among Jordanian private universities in the 2026 Shanghai Ranking indicators. Community Pressure in Irbid: Irbid Camp residents say density is outpacing services, from roads and sanitation to lighting and jobs.

Amman International Book Fair (Silver Jubilee): Jordan’s Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh says the 25th Amman International Book Fair will put “the Jordanian narrative” at its core, with a strong cultural programme and Syria as guest of honor. Local Culture & Publishing: The fair’s technical committee says all organizational and technical arrangements are complete for the Sept. 24–Oct. 3 edition, with space carefully allocated for local and Arab publishers. Qatar in Amman: Qatar is set for a major presence at the fair, with Qatari publishers and cultural events highlighting ties between Jordanian and Qatari readers. Health & Lifestyle in Schools: A Jordan school-based survey finds 32.9% of students aged 13–17 are overweight or obese, and only 12% get 60+ minutes of daily physical activity; new canteen rules aim to curb unhealthy drinks and snacks. Heritage & Learning: A push for a natural history museum in Jordan—especially the Zarqa Valley’s fossil wealth—frames it as both an educational and tourism boost. Tech for Work Life: A Stanford-led team is developing an AI tool to predict workplace dynamics, using coordination patterns as a new way to understand how people work together.

West Bank Trade Sanctions: Britain’s foreign secretary says the UK will ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements and target companies tied to construction, infrastructure, financing and real estate, with France confirming it will end trade with settlements alongside 11 other countries. School Health & Nutrition: Jordan’s global school-based survey finds 32.9% of students aged 13–17 are overweight or obese, with only 12% meeting daily physical activity targets; the Health Ministry pushes tighter canteen rules and more movement. Tawjihi Reshaped: Jordan’s General Secondary Education Certificate reform doesn’t abolish Tawjihi—it splits functions into a school certificate plus a separate national exam for university admission. Amman Book Fair Ready: The Amman International Book Fair 2026 technical committee says arrangements are complete for the 25th edition (Sept. 24–Nov. 3), with space limits but rising participation. Culture & Film: Jordanian filmmakers Raghad Albakheet and Danial Salman develop feature projects after their Student Academy Award-nominated short “A Subconscious Dive.” Arts in Amman: Artist Mohammad Al-Turki reflects on painting old Amman as living memory—markets, doors, alleys and faces turned into color and light. Sports & Youth: Oman boosts its Asian karate presence at an Amman-hosted cadet, junior and U21 event with both athletes and referees. Regional Humanitarian Update: Displaced families in Syria’s Suwayda remain in shelters as the Syrian-Jordanian-U.S. return roadmap stays stalled.

Education Reform: Jordan’s Tawjihi isn’t being abolished, but split into two parts: a school certificate for finishing secondary education and a separate national exam for university admission. Public Health & Lifestyle: A new Global School-based Health Survey finds 32.9% of Jordanian students aged 13–17 are overweight or obese, with only 12% meeting daily physical activity targets and many not attending PE classes. Culture & Arts: Jordanian artist Mohammad Al-Turki reflects on decades of painting old Amman—turning everyday details into memory on canvas—while the National Gallery of Fine Arts prepares “When Clay Becomes a Body,” a ceramic solo show by Khuzama Abu Jouda (Sept 17–Oct 8). Heritage & Reading: A new book, Wadi Musa, Cradle of Petra: The Memory of Place and People, documents local history and social memory around Petra. Regional Affairs: Jordan condemns extremist settler storming of Al Aqsa Mosque and warns of violations of the holy site’s status quo. International Spotlight: France and Canada join the UK in banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Film & Entertainment: Nayanthara’s Mookuthi Amman 2 teaser for Rise of Mahasakthi is out, with a Nov 6, 2026 release date. Community & Inclusion: Jordan’s “It Must Shine” troupe will represent the Kingdom at Egypt’s Awladona forum with an experimental performance by and for people with special abilities.

Jordan-UAE Diplomacy: King Abdullah II and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed held talks in Abu Dhabi, stressing deeper cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership and addressing regional security, including Jordan’s concerns over West Bank land annexation and violations at holy sites in Jerusalem. Al Aqsa Condemnation: Jordan’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned extremist Israeli settler storming of Al Aqsa, calling it a breach of the historical and legal status quo and urging the international community to pressure Israel to stop restrictions on worshippers. Education Reform Watch: Jordan’s PISA results improved in science, math, and reading, with reading still the weakest area—education experts say the real test is whether gains last beyond one cycle. Professional Training Oversight: Jordanian syndicates are moving to police online training courses marketed to licensed professionals, after concerns that some pages lack clear ownership and accreditation, with at least one syndicate ordering shutdowns. Culture & Arts: The National Gallery of Fine Arts announced Khuzama Abu Jouda’s ceramic solo show “When Clay Becomes a Body,” exploring transformation through visible cracks and textures. Inclusion Through Theatre: Jordan’s “It Must Shine” initiative will represent the Kingdom at Egypt’s Awladona forum with an experimental performance spotlighting the creativity of people with disabilities. Local Heritage Book: Al-Khalij Publishing released “Wadi Musa, Cradle of Petra,” documenting the memory of place and people and warning that urban change may erase local traditions. Jordan-EU Investment Forum: Jordan’s chambers highlighted the upcoming Jordan-EU Investment Forum (Nov. 19) as a push for exports, investment, and partnerships in renewable energy, digital, industry, logistics, and infrastructure.