U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green traveled to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan March 26 to 30, where he reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between the United States and one of our closest allies. The Administrator met with His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Al Hussein, the Regent; Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah; His Royal Highness Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal; and Prime Minister Omar Razzaz. Administrator Green also expressed his sincere condolences as four Jordanians lost their lives in the terrorist attack in New Zealand.

Administrator Green stressed the importance of enterprise-driven development in partnership with the private sector to help create job opportunities for youth in Jordan. The Administrator underscored that high-quality education and training can help Jordan's sustainable economic growth and long-term self-reliance, and joined Her Majesty Queen Rania to launch a pre-service teacher-training partnership, which will expand post-graduate pre-service teacher diploma to public universities throughout the Kingdom.

Throughout his trip, the Administrator observed how USAID's humanitarian and development assistance work together to address the urgent needs of Jordanians and refugees while strengthening the local capacity and building local self-reliance in partnership with the Government of Jordan.

Administrator Green toured a USAID-built school in East Amman to observe Syrian and Jordanian children who were learning critical reading and math skills through USAID's countrywide Early Grade Reading and Math Initiative. While there, Administrator Green engaged with displaced Syrian families and heard their passionate stories as they try to provide education for their children. He also toured Al-Bashir Hospital, where USAID and the Jordanian Ministry of Health have made significant investments.

Administrator Green also visited a mosaic center run by Caritas Jordan where Iraqi refugees fled the genocide perpetuated by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. At the center, these refugees are participating in livelihood programs where they are learning the craft of mosaic design to help preserve an artistic tradition and gain a source of income to support themselves and their families.

Finally, the Administrator met with senior officials at Wadi Musa Wastewater Treatment Plant, a facility built by USAID now fully managed and maintained by the Jordanian government. Administrator Green concluded his trip at Petra, and reiterated USAID's support to maintain and promote cultural heritage sites to better improve economic opportunities.