Amman, May 21 (Petra) – Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Amani Azzam on Thursday stressed the importance of advancing gender mainstreaming in the energy sector, highlighting its role in building a more inclusive, diversified, and resilient sector capable of adapting to future transformations.
Speaking at the opening of the Jordanian-Palestinian Dialogue Forum titled "Promoting Gender Mainstreaming in the Energy Sector," Azzam said empowering women in the sector is a key driver of innovation and institutional and technical efficiency, particularly amid rapid developments in renewable energy, digital transformation, and advanced technologies.
The forum was organized jointly by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority, with support from the World Bank, and brought together specialists and stakeholders from both sides.
Azzam said the forum provides an important platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening cooperation between Jordan and Palestine, reflecting the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, particularly in the energy sector.
She noted that Jordan has achieved notable progress in recent years in expanding women’s participation in the energy sector across engineering, technical, and institutional fields, while underscoring the need to further increase women’s representation in leadership and decision-making positions.
Azzam also affirmed Jordan’s readiness to share its expertise with the Palestinian side and support the establishment of professional networks and platforms aimed at enhancing women’s empowerment and regional cooperation in the energy field.
For her part, Reem Karzon of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority highlighted the importance of increasing women’s participation in the vital energy sector. She said the Authority organizes workshops and initiatives to support women’s engagement and facilitate access to renewable energy projects, in addition to developing a gender strategy aimed at strengthening the integration of Palestinian women in the sector.
Karzon also expressed appreciation to the World Bank and Jordan’s Ministry of Energy for supporting efforts to exchange expertise and experiences.
During the forum, Director of the Planning and International Cooperation Directorate at the ministry, Bushra Abadi, reviewed key indicators related to women’s participation in Jordan’s energy sector, highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, green hydrogen, entrepreneurship, and international partnerships, as well as training and financing programs designed to strengthen women’s role in the sector.
//Petra// AJ
