Amman, Aug. 12 (Petra) -- Four agreements were signed at the Prime Ministry on Wednesday, under the patronage of Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, to implement key projects under the national development plan for the lands adjacent to the Baptism Site, as part of preparations to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030.

The agreements were signed following the first meeting of the high-level National Committee tasked with preparing for the 2030 commemoration, chaired by Hassan. The initiative is being carried out in line with Royal directives to adopt and support the national project, which seeks to strengthen Jordan’s position as the site of Jesus Christ’s baptism and an international destination for Christian pilgrimage.

The agreements cover a package of projects with a combined estimated cost of $120 million on approximately 1,400 dunums of land adjacent to the Baptism Site. They include the design of a Baptism Museum at a cost of $50 million, the design and development of an integrated pilgrims and visitors’ village at around $40 million, infrastructure works worth $27 million, and the development of a green corridor estimated at $3 million.

The projects are being developed through cooperation between the government, national institutions, the private sector and international partners, with the aim of balancing preservation of the site’s religious and historical significance with improvements to the visitor experience and tourism and economic development in the area.

The Baptism Museum, planned to cover 5,500 square meters, will present the history and religious and historical significance of the Baptism Site through contemporary architectural design, interpretive content and specialized exhibitions to be implemented by local and international companies.

The integrated pilgrims and visitors’ village will complement the experience of visiting the Baptism Site and include reception areas, a visitors’ center, a hotel, restaurants, shops, a church and other services.

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature will prepare the designs for the green corridor, which will focus on protecting biodiversity, expanding vegetation cover and developing ecological and walking trails, in line with UNESCO recommendations for the conservation of the Baptism Site, which is listed as a World Heritage Site.

Infrastructure works will include main roads, water, desalination and irrigation systems, electricity and solar energy networks, street lighting and other services required for the site and its visitors.

According to the project timeline, preliminary work on the museum and the integrated pilgrims and visitors’ village is scheduled to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2027, with major construction work expected to start by the end of the second quarter. The two projects are expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2029.

The signing ceremony was attended by members of the high-level National Committee, including the ministers of Government Communications, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Planning and International Cooperation, and Tourism and Antiquities, as well as religious and community leaders, representatives of relevant institutions, implementing and consulting entities, project management and members of the institution’s board of trustees.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin said the agreements represent a shared commitment and national responsibility, as well as a strategic partnership aimed at supporting the project and highlighting Jordan’s religious, cultural and humanitarian heritage.

Hijazin also referred to the National Committee’s first meeting, during which the Prime Minister stressed the need to accelerate implementation, strengthen coordination among participating institutions and work collectively to translate Royal directives into practical programs and projects.

Tharwat Al-Masalha, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institution for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site, said the projects are an important part of preparations for the 2030 commemoration, an initiative proposed by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan with the support and direction of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

He said the signing of the agreements marks an important implementation step toward developing the adjacent lands and providing pilgrims and visitors with an integrated experience while preserving the identity and sanctity of the site.

King Abdullah II had directed the government to adopt and support the initiative proposed by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan and to coordinate with churches and Christian institutions worldwide to broaden participation in the commemoration at the site of the baptism.

The initiative includes developing religious programs and narratives for the occasion, promoting Christian pilgrimage, raising the international profile of the Baptism Site and other religious sites in Jordan, and improving infrastructure and services for pilgrims and visitors.

//Petra// WH