AMMAN — Jordan and the United States on Monday signed an $845.1-million annual US grant agreement to the Kingdom's general budget, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

 

The signing ceremony, held at the newly opened Abu Nuseir Housing Secondary Mixed School in Amman, was attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah and US Ambassador to Jordan Yael Lempert.

 

Signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan and USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed, the grant agreement is part of the US-Jordan Memorandum of Understanding (2023-2029), which was signed in September 2022 to provide $10 billion in US assistance over seven years, "demonstrating an unwavering commitment to Jordan's development challenges, including hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees," the statement said. 

 

She also noted that this year's grant includes an additional $200 million appropriated by the US Congress over and above baseline annual support. The funds will target key sectors including education, health, public works, water, energy, tourism and youth initiatives.

 

Toukan also acknowledged a separate additional $362 million agreement under USAID's 2020-2025 Strategy, which funds projects in economic development, governance, and essential public services.

 

Toukan expressed Jordan's appreciation for the US assistance, highlighting its critical role in advancing the Kingdom's development goals and economic reforms. The funds will help reduce the national budget deficit and support projects in line with Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision (2023-2025) and Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap, she noted.

 

Commending USAID's contributions to the education sector, she noted that six more schools, two each in Amman, Zarqa and Irbid, are expected to be completed by 2025. Over the next four years, US funding will also support the construction and rehabilitation of 60 schools across Jordan, the minister added.

 

Emphasising the enduring partnership between the two nations, the US envoy said: "This agreement reflects the US unwavering commitment to Jordan's economic stability and prosperity. The grant will support Jordan's reform agenda under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and improve the quality of life for all Jordanians."

 

We are proud to remain a key partner in Jordan’s success, she added.

 

The Abu Nuseir Housing Secondary Mixed School, where the ceremony took place, is an example of collaboration between Jordan and the United States. Opened in April 2024 as part of the Knowledge Economy Schools Project, the school addresses classroom overcrowding and currently serves 538 students.

 

The modern facility includes 27 classrooms for grades 1-12, four kindergarten rooms, science labs, a vocational lab, an art lab, two computer labs (one for community use), a library, and a multipurpose hall. It also has state-of-the-art IT tools and a dedicated space for students with learning disabilities, promoting an inclusive and innovative learning environment.