Amman:The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, has approved the draft 2026 Amended Cybersecurity Law, paving the way for its referral to Parliament. This legislation aims to modernize cybersecurity concepts, define legal terms for new digital technologies, and expand the National Cybersecurity Center's role in research and risk mitigation.
According to Jordan News Agency, the draft law also addresses emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, enhances incident response teams, and mandates collaborative capacity-building between the National Cybersecurity Center and the National Academy for Public Administration.
In addition to the cybersecurity law, the Cabinet has taken several steps to boost economic activities and infrastructure. They waived approximately JD 8 million in penalty fines for entities settling JD 17 million in debt to the Employment and Vocational Training Fund, targeting projects that create jobs for Jordanians.
The Smart Campus Project, a collaboration with China, received Cabinet approval, backed by an $11.5 million Chinese grant. This initiative will create 100 smart classrooms in 10 public universities, develop a centralized data center at the University of Jordan, and introduce a unified learning platform.
Following an airspace redesign that increased Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission revenues, the Cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Finance to set up a JD 14.5 million escrow account to finance air traffic control towers and system upgrades, funded by overflight fees.
To enhance water security, the Cabinet has approved a 16 million euro financing contribution from Germany's KfW bank for the National Water Carrier Project. This move is part of efforts to finalize the project's financial arrangements before construction begins.
Lastly, the Cabinet has endorsed the 2026 Municipal Council Membership and Electoral District Boundaries Regulation, facilitating preparations for municipal elections in 2027. The regulation increases the women's quota to 30% and establishes councils for four new municipalities.