AMMAN — Deputising for the prime minister, Youth Minister Raed Adwan on Sunday opened the 21st Arab Capitals Youth Meeting, organised by the ministry in cooperation with the League of Arab States under the theme “Youth and E-sports in Developing Creative Thinking”.

 

Adwan, who is also the Vice President of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers for Youth and Sports, said that Jordanian youth enjoy Royal support that has placed young people among national priorities and directed successive governments to advance the youth sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The minister noted that the meeting provides an opportunity to exchange youth-led experiences and present initiatives aimed at strengthening joint Arab youth action, noting that participants’ recommendations will be included on the agenda of the Council of Arab Ministers for Youth and Sports.

 

He said that esports and electronic gaming have evolved beyond entertainment into a growing global digital industry and a contributor to national economies, given their potential to create quality jobs and develop young people’s skills.

 

Adwan added that Jordan has established itself as a regional hub in the esports sector.

 

He commended the Arab League and the Council of Arab Ministers for Youth and Sports for implementing programmes that promote engagement and knowledge exchange among Arab youth.

 

Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of the Youth and Sports Department at the Arab League Faisal Ghassal, who also heads the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers for Youth and Sports, affirmed the Arab League’s commitment to supporting Arab youth.

 

Ghassal said that holding the meeting in Amman under the theme of esports and creative thinking goes beyond sports and technology, providing a platform to discuss a rapidly changing world and new opportunities for youth to innovate.

 

He added that esports brings together sports and technology, requiring quick thinking, precise decision-making, talent, teamwork and creativity.

 

Speaking on behalf of the participating delegations, Shahd Qatbi of the Yemeni delegation said the meeting in Jordan provides Arab youth with an opportunity to gather in their “second home”, expressing appreciation for the reception and hospitality extended to the delegations.

 

The opening ceremony included a video highlighting the meeting’s history and a traditional performance by the Ma’an Folk Arts Troupe.

 

The five-day programme includes panel discussions, expert talks, field visits and an Arab cultural and heritage exhibition.

 

The meeting brings together youth delegations from Yemen, Palestine, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Somalia, Lebanon and Morocco, in addition to Jordan.

 

The opening was attended by Environment Minister Ayman Sulaiman, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth Mazen Abu Baqer, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Culture Nidal Ayasrah and Head of the Greater Amman Municipality Committee Ahmad Malkawi, as well as ambassadors of participating Arab countries and representatives of official, youth and civil society institutions.