Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Touqan, met with the Executive Director of Canadian Development Programs in the Middle East, Ms. Marie-Claude Grenon. During the meeting, the existing development cooperation program with the Canadian side in the Kingdom was discussed, including the projects being implemented within the framework of the program, in the sectors of education - both vocational, technical and basic - and economic development and support for women and refugees.

The Minister explained the importance of this support in contributing to enabling the Jordanian government to move forward in implementing a number of development priorities within the framework of the economic modernization vision and the executive program arising from it for the years 2023-2025.

New programs and projects that are being prepared for implementation were also discussed, especially those related to supporting the education, vocational and technical education sector.

Minister Touqan reviewed the development priorities for the coming period related to education, water, and women’s economic participation, stressing the necessity of continuing to consider Jordan a priority country for Canadian development aid in all fields, with the aim of enhancing the Kingdom’s ability to implement development projects that have a positive impact on target groups.

The importance of continuing international support for the Jordanian response plan to the Syrian crisis was also stressed to support the efforts of the Jordanian government in providing basic services to refugees and host communities, as well as the global concessional financing mechanism Which benefits countries hosting refugees, including Jordan.

Ms. Grenon, For her part, expressed her understanding of the challenges facing the Kingdom at all levels, and praised Jordan’s essential role at the regional level, especially with regard to hosting refugees, stressing the Canadian side’s intention to continue supporting the Kingdom’s development priorities in view of the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries at all levels, Especially within the sectors of education, vocational and technical training, women’s support, and others.