Economic council members briefed on outcomes of integrity panel’s work

AMMAN — Members of the Economic and Social Council (ESC) on Wednesday were briefed on the mission of the Royal Committee for Enhancing National Integrity and the  outcome of its work.

ESC President Munther Share told The Jordan Times that it is important for the members of the ESC, who represent several public and private institutions, to “think together” with the committee.

“The council’s members are representatives of public institutions, labour associations, trade and industry chambers, and civil society organisations and have extended connections with citizens,” he said, urging them to hold meetings with the public to update them on the committee’s plans. 

Share, who is a member of a commission formed earlier this year to follow up on the implementation of the Executive Plan of the National Integrity Charter, added that the committee will soon launch its website, where users can access information about its members and reports “in full transparency”. 

The integrity committee was created under Royal directives in December 2012 to reinforce integrity as a pillar of the reform process.  

The committee, headed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, produced a National Integrity Charter and an plan for its implementation.

The plan was endorsed at a national conference held last year, and in December, His Majesty King Abdullah attended a ceremony to launch the National Integrity Charter and Executive Plan, where 2,000 officials, community leaders and representatives of various sectors were present.

In his presentation on the follow-up committee, which is headed by former minister Rajai Muasher, Share said it monitors the implementation of the projects of the National Integrity Charter according to their timeline, in addition to issuing regular progress reports.

“The committee also ensures that draft laws, regulations, decisions and procedures are in line with the principles of integrity and good governance,” he said, and the panel does not obstruct or affect the work of other bodies when seeking information.