Al-Mashat: Egyptian-Jordanian Committee Reflects Depth of Joint Relations btw Both Countries

Today, in Cairo, the preparatory work for the 32nd session of the Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee begins, which will be held from May 7-9. This committee is one of the main mechanisms through which the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan work to enhance their economic, trade, investment, and cultural relations. 

This reflects the shared history and close ties between the two countries. The regular convening of the committee demonstrates the commitment of the leadership of both countries to further expanding cooperation at various levels.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, highlighted the significance of the Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee, with its consecutive and regular sessions, is a key mechanism reflecting the depth of bilateral relations between Egypt and Jordan. The committee began its sessions in the 1980s and is considered the oldest Arab bilateral high committee ever. Throughout its 31 sessions held in Cairo and Amman, the committee has achieved numerous accomplishments.

The Minister of International Cooperation added that the current session of the committee represents a new step towards further enhancing the joint Egyptian-Jordanian relations at all levels, especially the economic level, as the committee’s agenda includes many joint files for cooperation, including developing joint trade and industrial relations, and developing intra-industry investments, financial and banking cooperation, consolidating cooperation in the field of agriculture, food security and logistics areas, as well as energy and electricity, and many other files that witness common interest from the two countries.

The committee’s work is scheduled to begin today with meetings at the expert level headed by the Ministry of International Cooperation, for the Egyptian side, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, for the Jordanian side, then followed by preparatory meetings at the ministerial level, before concluding its work with the convening of the joint Egyptian-Jordanian higher committee headed by the prime ministers of the two countries on May 9th.

Experts from the Egyptian side will participate in the meetings, representing various national bodies concerned, including the Ministry of International Cooperation, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Youth and Sports, Agriculture, Health, Education, Supply, Labor, Finance, Communications and Information Technology, Petroleum, Electricity and Energy, Planning and Economic Development, as well as representatives of the National Postal Authority, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, the Consumer Protection Agency, the Egyptian Drug Authority, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, and the General Authority for Industrial Development.

The Jordanian side is scheduled to participate with a delegation of experts that includes representatives of a number of relevant agencies and ministries, namely the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Supply, Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Energy and Mineral Resources, Labor, Agriculture, Transport, the Customs Department, and the General Food and Drug Administration.

The Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee is considered one of the most regular committees since its establishment in 1985. Over the course of 31 sessions of the committee, the latest of which was held in August in the Jordanian capital, Amman, more than 173 cooperation agreements have been signed in various priority areas including economic, trade, investment, cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation. This has reflected positively on enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in priority areas, increasing trade exchange rates, investments, and facilitating the exchange of expertise.

During the 31st session of the Joint Committee, the Prime Ministers of the two countries witnessed the signing of 12 cooperation documents in various fields, including a memorandum of understanding in the field of formulating economic and development policies and exchanging experiences, a memorandum of understanding between the Financial Regulatory Authority in Egypt and the Securities Commission in the Kingdom of Jordan, the executive program for cooperation between the two countries in the field of environmental protection for the years (2025/2023), the executive program for cooperation in the field of social affairs for the years (2024/2023), a joint cooperation program between the Jordanian News Agency and the Egyptian Middle East News Agency, the executive program for cultural cooperation between the two countries for the years (2026/2023), and the executive program for technical cooperation in the field of vocational training for the years (2024/2023).

In addition to a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian Ministry of Health and the Jordanian Ministry of Health, a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments and the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places. Also, a bilateral agreement in the field of electronic postal payment services, and the seventh executive program of the cooperation agreement in the field of manpower for the years (2023/2024). And a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the National Social Insurance Authority and the General Organization for Social Security.

The Ministry of International Cooperation supervises 68 committees between the Arab Republic of Egypt and countries from various continents of the world, including 8 Asian committees, 30 European committees, 14 committees with Arab countries, 9 African committees, in addition to 7 committees with Latin American countries.