King attends closing session of 2019 Jordan Municipalities Conference

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday stressed that Jordanians want to see a qualitative shift in municipal services and tangible results, noting municipalities’ role in development and employment.

In remarks while attending the closing session of the 2019 Jordan Municipalities Conference, titled “Municipalities Leading Sustainable Local Development”, the King said economic development requires real partnership between local councils and the government, stressing that municipalities should undertake their role in development, according to a Royal Court statement.

At the session, attended by Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, His Majesty expressed support for incentives to boost municipalities’ engagement, such as awards for municipal excellence, the most creative development project at the municipal level and for the cleanest municipality. The King had directed the government last month to launch awards at the municipal level, the statement said.

His Majesty stressed the need for all to act with courage when it comes to the interest of citizens, expressing support for all efforts to that end.

The municipalities conference is held in line with Royal directives to enhance the performance of municipalities and highlight their important role in achieving sustainable local development and promoting tourism.

The conference will be held annually by the government to highlight municipal achievements.

In his remarks at the session, Prime Minister Razzaz emphasised the King’s directives on bolstering civic and development-related engagement, pointing out the important role of municipalities in this regard.

For his part, Local Administration Minister Walid Masri underscored His Majesty’s support for launching awards to incentivise performance at the municipal level, the results of which will be announced at next year’s conference.

Moreover, participants highlighted the conference’s outcomes, which include expediting the digitisation of municipal financial and administrative procedures, building the capacities of municipal staff, and activating municipal partnerships with the private sector, especially in waste management and energy production.