At a Glance
Alliances & Memberships
- Arab League
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
- Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with USA
- European Union Association Agreement
- Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)
- Union for the Mediterranean
Foreign Policy Overview
Jordan pursues a 'neutral-interventionist' doctrine characterized by pragmatic moderation and mediation. Central to its policy is the Hashimite Custodianship of Holy Sites in Jerusalem, which dictates its intense involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Jordan maintains a strategic partnership with the United States while balancing regional relations with Gulf nations. It advocates for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders and promotes regional stability to protect its borders from spillover from Syria and Iraq. Education and humanitarian leadership, especially regarding refugees, are core pillars of its international identity.
Key Positions on Major Issues
CLIMATE: Massive focus on water security and desalination (National Water Carrier Project). National Climate Change Policy 2022-2050 targets a 31% reduction in GHG by 2030 contingent on international aid. SECURITY: Counter-terrorism leader via the 'Aqaba Process.' Focuses on border security against drug/arms smuggling from Syria. HUMAN RIGHTS: Committed to hosting over 1.3 million Syrians, but emphasizes the need for 'burden sharing' and increased international funding for the Jordan Response Plan (JRP). TRADE: Integration into global supply chains; advocate for the 'New Levant' initiative with Iraq and Egypt. REGIONAL: Absolute insistence on the 'Two-State Solution' and maintaining the Status Quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
UN Voting Record Notes
Jordan consistently votes in favor of resolutions supporting Palestinian statehood, the Right of Return, and condemning settlement expansion (e.g., voting for UNGA Res ES-10/22). It generally aligns with the G77 on development and the Arab Group on regional security but avoids voting for radical measures that would rupture its strategic ties with the West. It frequently sponsors resolutions regarding the 'Culture of Peace' and youth/security.
Economy & Trade
Driven by services (67% of GDP), manufacturing, and mining. Heavy reliance on foreign aid and remittances. Major industries: phosphate/potash mining, pharmaceuticals, textiles. Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD) pegged to USD. Main partners: Saudi Arabia, USA, UAE, China. Imports energy and water.
Military & Security
Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) are highly trained; spending is approx 4.5-5% of GDP. Doctrine is defensive, focusing on border integrity and internal stability. No WMDs. Hosts various foreign military installations, primarily US, under the 2021 Defense Cooperation Agreement. Known for the Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX).
Recent History
In 1994, Jordan signed the Peace Treaty with Israel (Wadi Araba). Since 1999, King Abdullah II has navigated the Arab Spring (2011), the rise of ISIS on the borders, and the Syrian Civil War (2011-present), which brought over a million refugees into the country. The 2021 'Sedition Affair' involving Prince Hamzah highlighted internal challenges. Economically, Jordan has undergone several IMF-led structural adjustment programs to tackle debt and unemployment.
International Memberships
- Arab Leaguesince 1945
Founding member; central to regional coordination.
- United Nationssince 1955
Permanent Mission in New York; active in UNRWA support committees.
- Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA)since 1996
Designated by the Bush administration; facilitates high-level defense cooperation.
- OICsince 1969
Active participant in Islamic solidarity and Jerusalem-related resolutions.
- NATO Global Partnershipsince 1995
Observer status; frequent participant in Mediterranean security dialogues.
MUN Negotiation Profile
Moderate Arab Bloc / Pro-Western Alignment
Consensus-builder, mediator, legalistic regarding international law, and focused on humanitarian appeal.
- Any challenge to the Hashimite Custodianship of Jerusalem's Holy Sites.
- Forced displacement or 'alternative homeland' (Watan al-Badeel) scenarios for Palestinians.
- Reductions in UNRWA funding without a viable political settlement.
- Violations of the 1994 Wadi Araba Peace Treaty without extreme provocation.
- "Jordan stands as a bastion of stability in a turbulent region, yet we cannot carry the weight of the global refugee crisis alone."
- "The Hashemite Custodianship is not merely a title; it is a historical and legal mandate to preserve the sanctity of Jerusalem."
- "Peace is a strategic choice, but it must be a just peace that recognizes the 1967 borders and the rights of the Palestinian people."
- "We call upon the international community to transition from emergency relief to sustainable development in their support for host communities."
- "Water scarcity is not just an environmental issue for Jordan; it is a matter of national security that requires immediate technological and financial partnership."