AGP Executive Report

Environment Protection Fund: Jordan’s Environment Protection Fund board approved support for environmental and development projects, including water-harvesting wells and home gardens, renewable-energy drying for fruits and vegetables, and community-focused environmental justice initiatives led by local civil society groups. Clean Energy & Green Transition: A new report highlights Jordan’s desert wind power push, spotlighting the Shobak wind farm (44.5MW) operated by a China Three Gorges-linked company since 2021, as Jordan targets higher renewable electricity shares by 2035. Water, Land & Rights: A legal analysis and related parliamentary coverage focus on the Real Estate Ownership Law changes, including how land expropriation rules could apply to railway projects—raising major questions about compensation and constitutional protections. Desertification & Rangelands: A Kenyan “rangeland hero” was recognized for climate leadership, underscoring how rangelands support biodiversity, wildlife, and rural livelihoods while facing drought and land degradation pressures. Youth & Volunteering: Jordan’s Youth Ministry was named the national focal point for the UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026, aiming to boost youth participation in community service tied to sustainability goals.

Baptism Site Push: Jordan signed four agreements to build a museum, pilgrims’ village, infrastructure upgrades and a “green corridor” to protect biodiversity around the Lord’s Baptism site, aiming for major work to start in 2027 and completion by 2029 ahead of the 2030 2,000th anniversary. Local Delivery Check: A Jerash governorate panel under “Maidani” compared Cabinet promises with on-the-ground progress, with officials citing that 70–80% of 2025 commitments are completed while other projects still wait on studies, budgets or implementation. Public Finance Watch: Jordan’s public revenues rose about 1.9% to JD 5.625bn by end-July, as spending stayed disciplined despite regional shocks. Trade Boost: The Jordan Chamber of Commerce and Pakistan’s FPCCI signed an MoU to set up a Joint Business Council and expand joint ventures. Regional Security Angle: Opinion pieces urged Jordan to assess the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement carefully amid shifting regional alignments and risks to Jordan’s security. Govt Modernization: Jordan reported 92% completion of public-sector modernization targets for the first half of 2026, with digital services and citizen-facing centers expanding.

Baptism Site Development: Jordan signed four agreements to build a $120m museum and pilgrimage complex at the Lord’s Baptism site by 2030, covering about 350 acres and including a $3m green corridor to protect biodiversity and expand trails. Water & Infrastructure Oversight: A Jerash panel under “Maidani” says many 2025 government commitments are only partly delivered, with gaps across health, water, transport, tourism and agriculture. Land & Rights: A legal analysis warns that a House-approved amendment to the Real Property Law could let railway expropriations follow “road” rules, including taking up to a quarter of land without compensation. Regional Security & Trade Routes: Iran says it reached an agreement with Oman on Strait of Hormuz shipping routes, while a separate report notes Jordan is among a Red Sea maritime defense coalition. Public Sector Modernization: Jordan’s government reports 92% completion of 2026 public sector modernization targets, with digital services expanding and digital IDs reaching 2.8m. Climate Extremes Nearby: Rare midsummer storms broke August rainfall records around Jerusalem, raising flash-flood concerns.

Red Sea Security: A 14-state Saudi-led coalition has formed to counter Ansar Allah (Houthis) after threats to blockade oil tankers, with Jordan among the signatories—raising stakes for regional shipping and energy flows. Hormuz Tensions: Iran’s deputy foreign minister rejected claims that the Strait of Hormuz could be seized, saying it can only be closed or reopened under Iran’s command, as ADNOC reports further attacks on its vessels. Jordan Law & Land: Jordan’s parliament passed an amendment to the Real Property Law that expands “road” definitions to include railways, potentially allowing up to a quarter of land to be taken without compensation for railway projects. Climate & Water Risks: Israel faces unusual summer rain and localized flooding tied to “Super El Niño,” while Jordan’s broader heat-and-weather pressures are highlighted by ongoing adaptation concerns. Environment & Land Use: A major UK housing plan would convert 3,400 homes onto productive farmland, triggering fresh environmental impact assessment scrutiny.

Tourism & Nature: Jordan logged an 8.3% jump in same-day visitors in the first seven months of 2026, reaching 755,000, while overnight tourists dipped 2% to 3.213 million; Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba remain key draws as authorities push more routes and sustainability work. Astro-tourism in Wadi Rum: Aqaba’s special economic zone hosted a Perseid meteor shower event, pitching Wadi Rum as a destination for stargazing, camping and astrophotography with an emphasis on “high-quality and sustainable” experiences. Land & Rights: Jordan’s House passed a draft amending the Real Property Law that expands “road” definitions to include railways—potentially allowing up to a quarter of property to be taken without compensation for rail projects, raising constitutional concerns. Coastal Protection: California’s coastal officials rejected a bid to restart offshore fracking, warning of risks to oceans, beaches and wildlife—an issue that echoes globally for coastal communities. Regional Security: A new Saudi-led maritime defense alliance (including Jordan) aims to protect Red Sea navigation amid threats from Yemen’s Houthis, with potential knock-on effects for energy prices and trade.

Red Sea Security & Energy Routes: Saudi Arabia has formed a 14-state coalition, the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, to protect navigation and trade routes after Yemen’s Houthis declared a naval blockade—an escalation that could further disrupt oil flows and raise fuel costs. Jordan’s Legal & Land Rights: Jordan’s House of Representatives passed a draft law amending the Real Property Law, expanding the definition of “road” to include railways—meaning land taken for railway projects could face the same “up to one quarter without compensation” rule tied to road expropriation. Strategic Alignment Watch: A Jordanian analyst urged careful review of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, warning that rapid regional shifts and limits of older U.S. security guarantees make “blind alignment” risky for Jordan’s interests. Water, Wildlife & Infrastructure Pressure: Israel’s Kasr al-Yahud area is entering a period of structural development, with changes on one bank potentially affecting security operations on the other—highlighting how environmental and infrastructure shifts can ripple across borders.

Red Sea Security: A new 14-nation maritime defense alliance led by Saudi Arabia (with Jordan among signatories) aims to protect shipping routes after Houthi threats to blockade oil tankers, raising the stakes for regional energy flows. Jordan’s Strategic Review: A Jordanian analyst warns the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement could pull the country into shifting security alignments, urging careful evaluation rather than “blind alignment.” Water & Tourism Infrastructure: Jordan’s Ministry of Public Works completed maintenance on the Al-Maghtas (Baptism Site) Road (about 5 km), including resurfacing and safety lane upgrades, supporting UNESCO-listed religious tourism. Local Governance & Rights: Jordan’s House passed a draft law amending the Real Property Law definition of “road” to include railways, potentially expanding land expropriation rules tied to compensation limits. Youth & Peace: Jordan’s youth ministry held a dialogue on UN Security Council Resolution 2250 at German Jordanian University, stressing youth as partners in peacebuilding and warning about hate speech and digital misinformation.

Green Finance: Jordan has strengthened its green and climate finance pipeline, attracting over $623m since 2021 and shifting from small pilots to bigger, reform-linked funding tied to the Economic Modernization Vision. Climate Impacts: A new look at Jordan’s warming shows heat waves are getting longer and hotter, with rising temperatures already up about 1.6°C over the past century—raising risks for water, farming, and food security. Water & Infrastructure: Jordan’s House passed a draft law amending the Real Property Law, expanding the definition of “road” to include railways—potentially allowing up to one quarter of property to be taken without compensation for railway projects. Religious Tourism Planning: Ahead of the 2030 baptism anniversary, officials are preparing Al-Maghtas to boost Christian pilgrimage while protecting its spiritual character, archaeology, and natural environment. Regional Security: A Mecca Joint Defense Agreement discussion highlights Jordan’s need to weigh strategic interests carefully as the region moves toward more multi-polar security options.

Jordan’s Water-Security & Climate Finance: A World Bank update says Jordan is rolling out 33 new actions under a reform project, alongside a separate note that the bank allocated $194m for climate financing in Jordan. Red Sea Security With Environmental Ripples: A 14-state Saudi-led coalition aims to protect navigation after Houthi threats to oil tankers, raising the stakes for regional energy flows and pollution risks along key sea routes. Land, Rail, and Compensation: Jordan’s parliament passed a draft amending the Real Property Law, expanding “road” to include railways—potentially allowing up to a quarter of property to be taken without compensation for railway projects. Youth Jobs Pressure: The Jordan Labour Observatory marks International Youth Day warning youth unemployment is still near 45% (ages 15–24), calling for decent, stable work and education-to-market alignment. Aqaba Marine Spotlight: Jordan’s Aqaba Marine Reserve reportedly won UNESCO World Heritage status, putting the Red Sea’s biodiversity and conservation on a bigger global stage.

Land & Rights: Jordan’s House passed a draft amendment to the Real Property Law that expands the definition of “road” to include railways, meaning land taken for railway projects could fall under rules allowing expropriation of up to one quarter of property without compensation—raising constitutional concerns over “just compensation.” Tourism & Heritage: Four agreements worth about $120m were signed to develop lands adjacent to Jordan’s Baptism Site for the 2030 commemoration, including a $50m Baptism Museum, a pilgrims’ and visitors’ village, infrastructure works, and a green corridor. Energy & Tech: Mindstream Energy signed deals for an AI campus in Jordan, using systems that manage power draw and monitoring to scale computing with available energy. Water & Environment (Regional): A report warns Israeli policies in the West Bank are damaging Palestinian farms and water supplies, adding pressure to already fragile local ecosystems.

Land & Rights: Jordan’s House passed an amendment to the Real Property Law that expands the definition of “road” to include railways—meaning land taken for railway projects could fall under the same rule allowing expropriation of up to one quarter of property without compensation, raising constitutional concerns about “just compensation.” Regional Security: Jordanian analyst Rana Sabbagh urged the country to assess the new Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Pakistan) carefully, warning that shifting regional realities and unpredictable U.S. stances could affect Jordan’s security beyond “blind alignment.” Trade & Waterways: The Jordan Shipping Association reported a sharp rise in transit through Aqaba—especially for Iraqi-bound goods—highlighting Aqaba’s growing role as a regional logistics hub. Wildlife & Nature: A global livestream-famous bald eagle, “Jackie,” died after weeks of treatment, underscoring ongoing wildlife health risks. Climate & Public Awareness: A new water-quality education art installation in Iowa aims to keep public attention on drinking-water threats—an example of how environmental messaging is being built into public spaces.

West Bank Environment Under Pressure: A report says Israeli occupation policies are damaging Palestinian farms and water systems in the West Bank, including vegetation loss, destroyed irrigation pipelines, and pollution from wastewater tied to settlements—especially in the Jordan Valley and Tubas areas. Heat & Drought Warnings: UK forecasters are considering a rare “red” extreme heat warning as temperatures may approach 40C, with drought conditions worsening and potential strain on power and transport. Climate Tech for Early Warnings: China’s weather agency is rolling out domestically built AI models for typhoon monitoring and risk alerts, with an international version aimed at helping countries at extreme weather risk, including Jordan. Water & Land Management in Jordan: Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision progress updates highlight major delivery work, including the Amman Bridge and a Non-Revenue Water Reduction push—aimed at improving services and efficiency. Education Support Across Jordan & Region: Qatar Red Crescent Society launched its “Back to School 2026” campaign to reach 24,000 students, including in Jordan, with funding for supplies, maintenance, and scholarships.

Climate & Heat: Jordan’s average annual temperature has risen about 1.6°C over the past century, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense, according to Jordan Meteorological Department data. Water & Biodiversity: Jordan’s Aqaba Marine Reserve has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a win that could boost Red Sea-focused tourism while spotlighting marine conservation. Regional Security Strategy: A Jordanian analyst warns the new Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca joint defense deal signals rapid regional shifts, urging Amman to avoid “blind alignment” as U.S. guarantees and Israeli policies raise risks. Education Aid: Qatar Red Crescent launched a Back to School 2026 campaign (over 24,000 students targeted) including support for Jordan and other crisis-affected countries. Local Environment Policy: Jordan’s economic modernization reporting highlights steps tied to circular economy and the Jordan Ecolabel, including regulations and awareness efforts.

Public Safety: Jordan’s Public Security Directorate issued a zero-tolerance warning against firing gunshots during Tawjihi results celebrations, saying violators will be arrested and referred to judicial authorities, while a nationwide security and traffic plan will be enforced. Regional Security: A new Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan is framed as “purely defensive” and open to other regional states, with Jordan urged to weigh its strategic interests amid shifting U.S. and regional dynamics. Water & Climate Risk: With fighting and pressure around the Strait of Hormuz continuing, airlines and travel plans across the Gulf are disrupted, and oil prices stay elevated—an indirect hit to energy-dependent economies. Jordan Environment Spotlight: Jordan’s Aqaba Marine Reserve has won UNESCO World Heritage status, adding momentum for marine conservation and biodiversity protection. Health & Inclusion: Jordan Kuwait Bank sponsored Olympic Day 2026 under “Sport for All,” bringing together children including those with disabilities for inclusive activities. Disaster Response Training: Jordan participated in an international mountain rescue training camp in Ala-Archa Nature Park, strengthening regional search-and-rescue capacity.

Water & Tech Modernization: Jordan’s Water and Irrigation Minister inspected the US-funded “Smart Transformation Project” at Dabouq, saying AI will be used to cut water loss and improve wastewater services efficiency. Local Water Infrastructure: Miyahuna reported nearly 4m JOD in Madaba water and sewage pipeline works, including new treated-water storage and line replacements across multiple neighborhoods and villages. Tourism & Sustainability: Jordan welcomed about 3.15m visitors in H1 2026, with tourism revenue reaching 2.47b JOD, as upgrades continued for key sites and routes. Investment Climate: A progress report on the Economic Modernization Vision says 100 investment opportunities were added to the investment map, while the “Invest in Jordan” platform was upgraded and incentives/facilitation transactions increased. Marine Conservation: Aqaba’s Marine Reserve won UNESCO World Heritage status, boosting protection for Jordan’s Red Sea biodiversity. Community & Youth Sports: Markazia Toyota partnered with Amman FC to support a long-term program helping talented youth keep training despite financial barriers. UNESCO Global Context: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage sites worldwide, including a major natural listing—highlighting the global push to protect nature.

UNESCO Spotlight: Jordan’s Aqaba Marine Reserve has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, highlighting its coral reefs and marine biodiversity, including hundreds of fish and coral species. Water Pollution Watch: A North Carolina court ordered Brenntag Mid-South to stop pollution entering a creek system that drains to Jordan Lake, after alleged chemical leaks and low dissolved oxygen harmed aquatic life. Regional Energy Tensions: Iran says it’s “very close” to an Oman deal for a temporary Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor, but insists reopening depends on US demands; the UAE also claims another ship was hit. Jordan Economy & Tourism: Jordan reported 3.15m visitors and about JD2.47b in tourism revenue in H1 2026, with Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba among the key draws. Sustainable Finance: Jordan Kuwait Bank issued a second green bond with IFC support to back sustainable finance in Jordan. Marine Rescue Training: In Ala-Archa Nature Park, Jordan is among 11 countries training mountain rescuers for high-altitude search and rescue.