AGP Executive Report

Jerash Accountability Watch: A panel under “Maidani” compared Cabinet promises made in Jerash in July 2025 with what’s actually on the ground, saying some projects are 70–80% done while others are still stuck in studies, implementation delays, or future-budget waiting—covering health, water, culture, education, transport, tourism and agriculture. E1 Settlement Pushback: Jordan and other regional states condemned Israel’s E1 West Bank settlement plan, warning it threatens West Bank–East Jerusalem contiguity and a future Palestinian state, and urged international action. Jordan–China Business Drive: King Abdullah met Chinese firms in priority sectors and also met SASAC officials, stressing partnerships, governance know-how, and cooperation in strategic areas. Regional Security Concern: Turkey and 11 countries, including Jordan, condemned Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase as a sovereignty violation and “extreme escalation.” Al-Aqsa Status Quo: Marking 57 years since the 1969 arson, reports say increased Israeli religious practices inside Al-Aqsa are raising fears of changing the historic status quo.

West Bank Tensions: Jordan condemned Israel’s E1 settlement tenders for 1,234 housing units east of Jerusalem, saying the move aims to entrench the occupation, as Egypt and multiple European states also urged Israel to withdraw the tenders, warning they would undermine a two-state solution. Accountability Pressure: Doctors Without Borders renewed calls for an impartial investigation after Israel declined to open criminal probes into strikes that killed aid staff in Gaza, saying there is no prospect of accountability. Regional Flashpoints: Syria’s foreign minister told Axios that Israel’s strike on Abu al-Duhur airbase was unjustified and not meant to establish a Turkish base, while Israeli commanders warned of a possible “widespread eruption” in the West Bank amid rising settler attacks. Jordan Local Governance Watch: A Jerash panel under “Maidani” said 70–80% of 2025 government commitments have been completed, but other projects still wait on studies, implementation, or future budgets. Jordan-China Momentum: Reports highlight continued diplomatic and economic coordination with China, including cooperation agreements expected between Amman and Beijing.

Jordan-China ties: King Abdullah II toured a Shenzhen tech exhibition and met CPC Shenzhen officials, pushing cooperation in R&D and digital transformation as Jordan seeks new economic partners amid regional uncertainty. Tourism boost: Chinese tourist arrivals to Jordan rose 15.9% in the first seven months of 2026, reaching 11,931 visitors, with efforts underway to train Chinese-speaking guides. Trade and industry: The Jordan Chamber of Industry said industrial growth since 2022 has driven jobs and exports, while stressing the need to narrow a large Jordan-China trade deficit ahead of the royal visit. Implementation gap in Jerash: A panel on “Maidani” highlighted uneven progress on government projects in Jerash—some completed, others still in studies or awaiting budget inclusion—covering health, water, transport, education and investment needs. Regional security backdrop: Iran dismissed US economic threats as Israel-Turkey tensions over Syria escalated after strikes on Abu al-Duhur airbase. Humanitarian support: UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid will sponsor treatment for a Jordanian girl with a rare genetic condition in Dubai.

Local Governance & Delivery: A Jerash panel under “Maidani” says many Cabinet promises from 2025 are only partly done, with MPs putting completion of commitments at about 70–80% and calling for faster delivery on health, water, transport, tourism and jobs. Politics & Reform: Opinion pieces focus on Jordan’s latest Cabinet reshuffle and the lead-up to the 2027 budget, arguing the government is trying to cool reshuffle speculation and manage expectations. Digital Services & Business: Devoteam says its Strategy & Transformation team has become among the first worldwide to earn ITIL 5 Master certification, positioning it as a regional leader in IT service management across offices including Jordan. Sports: Jordan hosts the AHF Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship, with Bahrain kicking off against India in Amman and facing Jordan next. Regional Diplomacy: Syria rejects claims tied to an Israeli strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, denying any Turkish base or troop deployment there, as tensions between Israel, Turkey and Syria continue to ripple. Economy & Finance: Jordan’s banking and economic coverage includes reports on growth in tax revenues and new financial products, alongside broader discussion of credit and development priorities.

Local Accountability: A panel in Jerash under “Maidani” compared Cabinet promises with what’s actually happening on the ground, with MP Hamza Al-Hawamdeh saying 70–80% of 2025 commitments are completed while other projects still wait on studies, implementation steps, or future budgets. Government & Politics: Opinion pieces focus on Jordan’s latest Cabinet reshuffle process and what it signals for the 2027 state budget, alongside broader regional security shifts tied to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. Diplomacy: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called Jordan’s solidarity with Syria “absolute,” condemning Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu Al-Duhur airfield as a dangerous escalation and urging de-escalation through diplomacy. Regional Economy & Energy: Jordan and Egypt discussed joint tourism and archaeological cooperation, while Jordan’s banking sector saw Jordan Ahli Bank appoint Yousef Nawres as Head of Treasury and Financial Markets. Culture & Tourism: Handel’s “Messiah” is set for Mukawir (Machaerus) on 12 September 2026, framed as a faith-and-heritage event supported by the EU delegation in Jordan. Youth & Innovation: Orange Jordan backed the National Sumo Championship at Applied Science Private University, and the Arab Youth Centre opened its first regional office in Jordan to expand youth empowerment programmes. Business & Community: Dar Amira opened in Amman, aiming to build a Jordan-based regional hospitality brand with Moroccan experiences.

Jerash Accountability Check: A panel under “Maidani” compared Cabinet promises with what’s actually on the ground in Jerash, saying 70–80% of 2025 commitments have been completed, while other projects are still at studies, implementation, or budget stages—covering health, water, culture, education, local administration, transport, tourism and agriculture. Jordan-China Diplomacy: King Abdullah II’s Xinhua interview and analysts’ take frame Jordan’s China outreach as a deliberate push for more multilateral options—linking the Palestinian issue to China’s growing influence while expanding trade, investment and technology ties without breaking with Washington. Regional Security Shockwaves: The UAE suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran after detecting two ballistic missiles aimed at maritime traffic; Iran denied the claim. In parallel, Israel warned Syria about a possible security breach tied to Turkish troop deployment near Aleppo after strikes on Abu al-Duhur airbase drew condemnation. Gaza Aid Warning: On World Humanitarian Day, a rights-focused message warned that rising attacks on aid workers are shutting down food, health, safe spaces and education—hurting children most.

Jordan–China Diplomacy: King Abdullah II is on a state visit to China from Aug. 18–24, aiming to move ties toward implemented projects, investment, production, technology transfer and stronger air connectivity as bilateral trade hit about $6.72bn in 2025. Regional Security: Israel carried out strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib, drawing condemnation from Damascus and Ankara and criticism from a US envoy, with analysts saying the message targets both Damascus and Turkey. US–Iran Standoff: With a 60-day MoU deadline passed, Trump says there are no talks with Iran and insists the Strait of Hormuz is open, while Iran warns of a “fully offensive” posture if diplomacy fails. Local Governance Watch: A Jerash panel under “Maidani” says many 2025 Cabinet commitments are still stuck in studies or budget stages, while some are already completed. Defense Cooperation: Jordan’s Armed Forces and Aqaba International Laboratories (Bin Hayyan) signed an MoU to boost joint lab and technical cooperation.

Jerash Accountability Watch: A panel under “Maidani” compared Cabinet promises with what’s actually on the ground in Jerash, saying 70–80% of 2025 commitments are done while others are still stuck in studies, implementation, or future budgets—covering health, water, culture, education, transport, tourism and jobs. Baptism Millennium Prep: Jordan has launched preparations for the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ baptism in 2030, forming a high-level national committee and signing agreements for a JD 120m package including a baptism museum, pilgrim village, green corridor and site infrastructure. Real Estate Law Debate: A legal analysis flags a House-approved amendment that expands the definition of “road” to include railways, potentially allowing up to a quarter of land to be expropriated without compensation—raising constitutional questions. Refugee Health Support: QRCS, QFFD and UNHCR wrapped up a SHARP project for Syrian refugees in Jordan, including 2,424 dialysis sessions for 36 kidney-failure patients in Zaatari and Azraq. Gaza Ceasefire Pressure: Palestinian factions, via Hamas, blamed Israel for stalling Gaza ceasefire phases and urged mediators to push Israel to implement commitments and approve the next roadmap step. Jordan–China Ties: King Abdullah II discussed deepening the Jordan–China strategic partnership ahead of his China visit, highlighting political trust, trade and people-to-people cooperation.

Jerash Delivery Watch: A panel under Radio Al-Balad’s “Maidani” program compared Cabinet-announced projects with what’s actually on the ground in Jerash, with MP Hamza Al-Hawamdeh saying about 70–80% of 2025 commitments have been completed, while other items still sit in studies, implementation, or future-budget stages. Real Estate Law Change: A legal analysis warns Jordan’s House of Representatives passed an amendment that expands the definition of “road” to include railways, potentially allowing expropriation of up to one quarter of property without compensation—raising constitutional concerns. Baptism Site 2030 Prep: Jordan is forming a high-level national committee to accelerate preparations for the Second Millennium of Jesus’ Baptism in 2030, including plans for a pilgrims’ village, museum, green corridor, and infrastructure upgrades. Jordan-EU Investment Push: Crown Prince Hussein reviewed preparations for the Jordan–EU Investment Conference on 19 November at the Dead Sea, urging faster action on conference recommendations with measurable outcomes. Capital Markets: The Amman Stock Exchange recorded JOD 10 million trading volume on Monday. King’s China Visit: King Abdullah II is set to visit China from August 18, seeking expanded cooperation in green energy, science, tourism, and civil aviation as regional pressures strain Jordan’s economy.

Jerash Accountability Check: A panel under “Maidani” in Jerash compared Cabinet project promises with what residents say is actually on the ground, with MPs and directorates citing uneven progress across health, water, culture, education, transport and tourism, and calling for priorities like a hospital, better infrastructure, a university and jobs. Real Estate Law Debate: A legal analysis in Jordan’s press warns that a Real Property Law amendment expanding the definition of “road” to include railways could allow expropriation of up to a quarter of private land without compensation, raising constitutional concerns. Baptism Site 2030 Push: Jordan has formed a high-level national committee to prepare for the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ Baptism in 2030, with plans for pilgrim-focused development such as a museum, green corridor, infrastructure upgrades and an integrated village. Gaza Diplomacy: US envoy Jared Kushner met Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt to revive a US-backed Gaza roadmap, while Jordan and other Muslim-majority states condemned Israel’s rejection of the plan and urged Washington to hold Israel to its commitments. Regional Security Signals: Commentary on the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement urges Jordan to assess strategic interests carefully amid shifting regional power dynamics. Tech and Telecom: Zain Jordan and Ericsson announced a new phase to modernize Zain’s cloud-native billing and postpaid systems for the 5G era.

Jerash Follow-Up on Government Delivery: A panel under “Maidani” compared Cabinet-announced projects with what’s actually happening on the ground in Jerash, with MP Hamza Al-Hawamdeh saying 70–80% of 2025 commitments are completed, while others are still in studies or awaiting budgets. Baptism Site 2030 Push: Jordan is forming a high-level national committee to accelerate preparations for the Second Millennium celebration of Jesus’ Baptism at the Baptism Site, including infrastructure and a pilgrim-focused “integrated village.” Real Estate Law Update: A Senate joint committee approved the 2026 Real Estate Ownership Law, with debate centered on how land expropriation rules apply to railway projects. National Service Medical Exams: Medical examinations began for the third batch of conscripts, with schedules across northern, central, and southern governorates. ASE Market Watch: The Amman Stock Exchange recorded JOD 8.4m in trading volume as the index slipped 0.13%. Regional Diplomacy on Gaza: UAE and other states, including Jordan, condemned Israel’s rejection of Trump’s Gaza roadmap as Kushner met Hamas leaders ahead of talks with Netanyahu. Energy & Investment: Xinhua reports Chinese-run wind power in Jordan, while Jordan Ahli Bank launched a “Rent Now, Pay Later” service via its mobile app.

Jerash Delivery Watch: A panel under Radio Al-Balad’s “Maidani” program said some 2025 Cabinet commitments in Jerash are moving fast (70–80% completed, MPs estimate), while others are still stuck in studies or awaiting budget inclusion—covering health, water, culture, education, transport, tourism and jobs. Baptism Site 2030 Prep: Jordan is forming a high-level national committee to speed up preparations for the Second Millennium celebration of the Baptism of Jesus at the Baptism Site, including new pilgrim land development, a museum, a green corridor and infrastructure upgrades. Real Estate Law Change: A constitutional-law debate is brewing after MPs passed an amendment that effectively brings railways under the “road” definition—raising concerns that up to a quarter of private land could be expropriated without compensation. Jordan–China Push: Investment Minister Tareq Abu Ghazaleh said King Abdullah’s China visit aims to deepen industrial and investment cooperation aligned with Jordan’s economic modernization vision. Domestic Revenue Update: Jordan’s domestic revenues rose about 1.9% by end-July 2026 to JD5.625b, with tax and non-tax collections improving. Earthquake Condolences: Jordan’s Foreign Ministry sent condolences to Indonesia after an eastern earthquake killed dozens and left hundreds displaced.

King’s China Visit: King Abdullah II will start a state visit to China on Monday, meeting Xi Jinping and signing cooperation deals with major Chinese firms as Iran’s war pressures Jordan’s economy. Baptism Site Push: Jordan signed four agreements worth about $120m to develop the Lord’s Baptism area ahead of the 2030 second millennium, including a $50m museum, a $40m pilgrims’ village, infrastructure upgrades and a green corridor. Public Sector Modernization: Jordan says it hit 92% of its public sector modernization targets for the first half of 2026, with digital services expanding and “mystery shopper” checks driving corrective steps. Local Implementation Watch: A Jerash panel under “Maidani” found uneven delivery of Cabinet-announced projects—some finished, others still in studies or awaiting budgets. Regional Security Debate: Jordanian opinion writers urged careful review of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and warned against blind alignment amid shifting regional power. Trade Disruption Fears: Reports say Iran’s pressure on Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb is pushing Gulf states to seek alternative routes, while Saudi forms a maritime defense coalition including Jordan. Market Notes: Jordan Chamber of Commerce warns against misleading electrical appliance pricing; gold prices stayed steady locally.

West Bank Tensions: Jordan condemned escalating settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, citing the Qusra village incident near Nablus and warning Israel is driving extremism and undermining prospects for a two-state solution. Baptism Millennium Prep: Jordan is stepping up preparations for the 2030 second millennium celebration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, forming a high-level national committee to oversee site development for pilgrims, including infrastructure and a museum. Real Estate Law Change: Jordan’s House passed an amendment to the Real Property Law that expands the definition of “road” to include railways, potentially allowing expropriation of up to one quarter of property without compensation for railway projects. Mental Health Access: WHO and Lions Clubs International Foundation signed a three-year deal to expand mental health services in Jordan, including counselling support in East Amman and care through Al Basheer Hospital. Maritime Security & Energy Routes: Regional and international reporting highlights intensifying pressure around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, with Gulf states—including Jordan—pushing alternative routes and condemning attacks on commercial shipping.

Jordan–China Economic Push: Jordan’s investment minister says the Kingdom wants closer economic ties with China, pointing to cooperation opportunities in advanced manufacturing, electronics, renewables, rail, logistics, agri-tech and pharmaceuticals. Religious Tourism Upgrade: Jordan is stepping up preparations for the 2030 second millennium of Jesus’ Baptism by forming a high-level national committee, with plans for pilgrim infrastructure, a museum, and a “green corridor.” West Bank Condemnation: Jordan’s foreign ministry condemned escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank, calling Israel responsible and urging accountability and a two-state solution. Baptism Site Projects: Officials say the Baptism Site push includes land development near the site to extend stays for Christian pilgrims and visitors. Tourism Numbers: Jordan reported 755,000 same-day visitors in the first seven months of 2026 (+8.3%), while overnight tourists fell 2% to 3.213 million; tourism revenues reached about JD 2.47 billion. Legal Change With Land Impact: Parliament passed an amendment that expands the definition of “road” to include railways, potentially allowing expropriation of up to one quarter of property without compensation. Maritime Security Context: A new Saudi-led Red Sea coalition includes Jordan, aiming to protect navigation routes amid regional shipping risks.

Regional Security: Iran’s alleged “de facto control” over the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb is pushing Washington and Gulf states to plan alternative oil routes, including a proposed refinery/export hub outside Hormuz and an overland pipeline to Mediterranean ports. Maritime Response: Saudi Arabia has formed a 14-state coalition to protect Red Sea navigation and counter Houthi threats, with Jordan among the signatories. Diplomacy & Strategy: A Jordanian analyst warns the new Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan) should be assessed carefully by Amman amid shifting regional security dynamics and concerns over Israeli policy and U.S. unpredictability. Christian Heritage Planning: Jordan is accelerating preparations for the 2030 Baptism of Jesus second-millennium celebrations, forming a high-level national committee and outlining major site and pilgrim infrastructure projects. Local Law & Land: Parliament passed a Real Property Law amendment that could expand uncompensated land-taking rules for railway projects by treating railways as “roads,” raising constitutional and public-benefit questions.