Jerash, April 7 (Petra) – Senate President Faisal Fayez underlined that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, is steadily advancing its comprehensive modernization agenda, emphasizing that a modern state depends on high-quality education, efficient governance, a flexible economy, and institutions capable of investing in knowledge and innovation.
Speaking at the International Scientific Conference of the Faculties of Business and Educational Sciences at Jerash University, titled "Knowledge Economy in the Era of Global Transformations," Fayez said national wealth is increasingly measured by creativity, effective educational institutions, and the ability to generate and apply knowledge for development.
He described engagement with the knowledge economy as a "strategic imperative." Rapid global digital transformations are reshaping labor markets, education systems, production methods, and competitiveness. Universities, he noted, play a central role in producing knowledge, fostering research, and developing skills to meet contemporary challenges. The knowledge economy, he stressed, is now a core component of Jordan’s modernization project.
Fayez added that conferences like this facilitate research on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and governance, priorities aligned with the King’s vision for modernizing the state. He highlighted Jordan’s focus on digitalization, human capital development, and enhancing economic competitiveness.
Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa emphasized that the modernization initiatives are socially inclusive, reflecting a human-centered approach. She said integrating development with social protection builds on achievements since 2019, despite the global disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman said environmental action forms a key part of the government’s 2026-2029 executive program. He stressed the need for legislative and practical frameworks to tackle climate change, noting Jordan’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 31 percent. Jordan was among the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement, linking green growth to the knowledge economy and digital transformation, he added.
Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Engineer Sami Smirat highlighted Jordan’s progress in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy and digital governance. He noted that the Kingdom has become a regional hub for startups, with universities producing a generation of innovators contributing to national and regional development.
Smirat said approximately 80 percent of government services have been digitized, with ongoing efforts to complete the process. He emphasized that digitization promotes transparency, efficiency, and fairness, while generating data to support informed policy decisions. He pointed out that updates to the Sanad application reflect a qualitative improvement in service delivery and underscore the government’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation.
//Petra// AJ
