Amman: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and with support from the Government of Japan, launched the "Creativity Pathways in the Jordan Valley" forum.
According to Jordan News Agency, the forum is part of the "Safe Pathways for Vulnerable Youth and Women" project and aims to utilize cultural and creative industries to drive sustainable economic growth. It attracted 150 participants, including youth, entrepreneurs, creatives, and policymakers, who explored the valley's untapped potential and strategized on positioning it as a regional hub for innovation and creativity.
The event supports national efforts to empower youth and women in underserved communities, emphasizing culture as a catalyst for job creation, innovation, and community resilience. Sameera Zou'bi, Secretary General for Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Digital Economy, highlighted the importance of innovation in economic transformation and underscored the Jordan Valley's heritage and creative potential.
Majida Assaf, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, stated that culture and creativity are integral to development. She stressed the need to harness the energy of young people in the Jordan Valley to foster economic justice, inclusion, and dignity. Japanese Ambassador Asari Hideki remarked on the forum's role in integrating cultural and creative industries with digital resilience and social cohesion, aligning with Japan's cooperation policy with Jordan.
The program featured workshops on agritourism, food systems, identity-driven industries, digital resilience, and green entrepreneurship, led by local experts who offered practical models for public-private partnerships. The forum concluded with calls for investment, policy reforms, and partnerships to strengthen Jordan's creative economy and empower underserved youth and women.