Jordan signed an agreement on Thursday to host the regional office of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The agreement was signed by Jordan's Foreign Minister Naser Judeh and the UNHCR director for MENA operations Amin Awad. The office will carry out the UNHCR's activities across the MENA region alongside the national Jordan Office already located in the country.
The role will involve looking into applications for those seeking asylum from inside Jordan and elsewhere, however, it will not interfere with people who fall under the jurisdiction of the UN agency tasked with the affairs of Palestinians, UNRWA.
In remarks on the deal, Foreign Minister Judeh said that the increasing presence of UN agencies in Jordan reflects the confidence of the international community in the state of politics and security in his country. The move will increase job opportunities and potentials, he added.
Furthermore, he said the ministry was reviewing further applications for HQs and regional bases in Jordan.