Amman: The selection of Amman as the Arab Youth Capital for 2025 by the Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports marks the culmination of years of sustained efforts to empower youth and enhance their capabilities through pioneering programs championed and supported by His Majesty King Abdullah II. This journey has been closely overseen and implemented on the ground by HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, aiming to position Jordan as a regional platform nurturing all forms of youthful innovation and creativity across the Arab world.
According to Jordan News Agency, the designation presents a national opportunity to boost the presence of Jordanian youth within the Arab sphere through creative programs and participatory events that reflect the kingdom's rich civilizational and humanitarian heritage. Fayeq Hijazin, Assistant Director-General of the Al Hussein Fund for Excellence, highlighted that Jordan ranks among the leading countries in enabling youth to actively engage in all state-level activities, thanks to the king's focus on youth.
Hijazin pointed to government programs implemented in partnership with the private sector, such as the Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF), which finances youth-led startups. Additionally, the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) provides incubation and support services, alongside funding for youth projects. Institutional capacity-building efforts also create an enabling environment for young people to launch their ventures.
Omar Azzam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth, stated that Amman's selection as Arab Youth Capital 2025 is recognition of Jordan's pioneering role in youth empowerment, with strong backing from His Majesty the King and HRH the Crown Prince. He noted that the choice was made based on a comprehensive file submitted by the Ministry of Youth, highlighting national achievements in youth policies and programs.
Youth entrepreneur and artificial intelligence expert Reema Diab shared her personal journey with Jordan's youth-focused programs. She launched personal volunteer initiatives aimed at giving back to her community, emphasizing the accessibility of technology to everyone, even in remote areas. Her efforts grew into a regional organization known as Galaxy for Technology, impacting the Arab community by spreading these models to many countries.
Diab emphasized that Amman's win of the "Arab Youth Capital 2025" title solidifies Jordan's leading role in supporting and embracing youth. She described Amman as a city that resembles the youth themselves in ambition and beauty.
Sultan Khalaileh, president of the Sanad for Youth Thought and Youth Work association, described Amman's victory as a milestone confirming Jordan's status as a hub for youth work and pioneering initiatives across the region. He said the achievement reflects Jordan's bright image as a country investing in its young people and providing them the space to create positive change. Khalaileh pointed out that Amman's selection came after a long national effort placing youth at the heart of public policies, highlighting their active role across developmental, economic, and cultural fields.