Jordan Times
Thursday, November 24, 2005
King calls for defining National Agenda priorities
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Wednesday called for defining the National Agenda's priorities and accelerating
the implementation of its plans of political and socio-economic reform.
King Abdullah made his remarks as he received the National Agenda and a report
on new administrative divisions.
The King told members of the Steering Committee for the National Agenda and the
Royal Committee on Regions that the optimum goals of both blueprints are to
“fulfil the aspirations of Jordanians, entrench democratisation and achieve
reform, modernisation, transparency, justice as well as equality.”
Thanking members of the two panels, the Monarch said all should actively work as
one team to help enhance the Kingdom's comprehensive development.
The 26-member Steering Committee for the National Agenda was formed in February
by King Abdullah to draw the guidelines for policy-making in the coming 10
years. The panel members were assisted by subcommittees comprising 200 public
and private sectors and academia experts on political development, legislation
and justice, infrastructure, investment, financial reform, labour and vocational
training, education and higher education, and social welfare.
Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muahser, who heads the steering committee, said the
agenda aims to ensure the rule of law, justice and equality, basic freedoms,
human rights, intellectual and political pluralism, a knowledge-based society
and social welfare.
For his part, Senate President Zeid Rifai, who heads the Royal Committee on
Regions, said the panel's report seeks more involvement of Jordanians all over
the Kingdom in the decision-making process related to the development of their
areas.
One of the aims, he noted, is to help allow citizens in various regions to elect
their own councils and enhance public participation in decision-making.