Amman, 28 October 2026 – More than 150 individuals, including researchers, university leaders, innovators, and European diplomats, convened today in Amman for the event titled “Jordan–EU: Innovating Together.” The high-level gathering focused on the Horizon Europe initiative and was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan in collaboration with Jordan’s Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST).
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s primary program dedicated to research and innovation. In Jordan, this initiative funds collaborations among universities, research centers, and companies to tackle various challenges across sectors such as energy, health, climate change, and digital technology.
Since 2009, the EU and Jordan have maintained a cooperative relationship in the fields of science and research. This partnership was further reinforced in 2025 under the EU-Jordan Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, which aims to enhance Jordan’s involvement in EU research and innovation programs like Horizon Europe.
Dr. Azmi Mahafzah, Jordan’s Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, stated, “Horizon Europe is an important platform that provides Jordanian universities and researchers with broader opportunities to build international partnerships, participate in joint research projects, benefit from advanced expertise and research infrastructure, and strengthen their presence in international research and innovation networks.”
The EU Ambassador to Jordan, H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, also emphasized the significance of human capital in Jordan. “Jordan’s greatest resource is its people and human capital, its talent, its universities and its labs,” he said. He noted that thousands of young Jordanians have pursued studies in Europe through the Erasmus+ program and encouraged Jordan to fully engage with Horizon Europe, which he described as a pathway for Jordanian students to conduct collaborative research with European counterparts.
A moderated dialogue at the event addressed practical considerations, such as the methods by which Jordanian institutions can engage with Horizon Europe, effectively build partnerships with European organizations, and learn from existing successes.
The benefits of Horizon Europe for Jordan are significant, providing opportunities for Jordanian universities, young researchers, startups, and companies to access funding and collaborate with European partners on innovative solutions.
Discussions also included the upcoming Jordan–EU Investment Conference, scheduled for November 19, 2026, at the Dead Sea. This conference will highlight growth sectors including energy, clean technology, and the digital economy, and a new EU-funded project is expected to be announced there.
In her keynote address, HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Science and Peace, underscored Jordan’s potential as an equal partner in global scientific progress, advocating for strengthened cooperation with the EU in research and innovation.
