The ASEAN Committee in Amman Visits the National Library of Jordan

Top photos: Jordanian National Library Director General Dr. Nidal Al-Ahmad gives each ACA Ambassador a collection of books published by the Official Gazette of the Government. Bottom photo: The ACA Ambassadors namely, Bruneian Ambassador Mahadi Maidin, Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos, Thai Ambassador Supark Prongthura, Indonesian Ambassador Ade Padmo Sarwono, and Malaysian Ambassador Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman.

On 12 February 2024, the ASEAN Committee in Amman (ACA) paid a visit to the National Library of Jordan in pursuit of further strengthening the cooperative relationship between the ASEAN Committee in Amman and the National Library of Jordan.

The delegation was headed by the Philippine Ambassador and ACA Chairperson, His Excellency Wilfredo C. Santos. The Director-General of the National Library, Dr. Nidal Al-Ahmad, led the other Library officials in the meeting.

Both sides shared information on their respective institutions and explored ways on how to deepen mutual cooperation in the field of managing national intellectual items, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with respective ASEAN member states. Dr. Nidal, explained in detail the history and mandate of the National Library. The ACA, in turn, oriented the Director-General on the respective counterparts of the National Library in each country, and the objectives of ACA and its plans for the future. Dr. Nidal lauded ACA's vision and expressed their interest in exploring areas of collaboration to achieve shared goals, especially in cultural cooperation.

After the meeting, the delegation was given a tour of the facility, including the library's collection of books, manuscripts, and other historical documents. They were also shown the library's facilities used to preserve documents and prevent their deterioration, as well as the Library’s services available to the public, including holding of cultural events and exhibits.

In cooperation with the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Santos also donated the following books to the National Library of Jordan in a bid to start the Library’s Filipiniana collection: One Caring and Sharing Community: The Philippines in ASEAN, Rizal in Germany, Keeping the Fort: Speeches of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo-Albert, Rekindling Travel: Bucket List Philippines, Bantayog: Discovering Manila Through its Monuments, Muslim Mindanao Cuisine and Culture, Mandirigma: Uniforms of the Filipino Fighting Man. The donated books were curated to promote Philippine culture and literary heritage to researchers, students, educators, and Jordanian audiences.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity for the ASEAN Committee in Amman to gain deeper insights into the cultural and educational offerings of Jordan. It also allowed for the strengthening of existing partnerships and fostering new ones between the two esteemed organizations.

The National Library of Jordan was established in 1977 and is considered the “Mother of all libraries in Jordan”. It serves as the primary legal depository of printed and recorded cultural heritage of the country and represents the memory of the nation. The National Library functions under the Ministry of Culture of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. END

Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos the current Chair of the ACA during his opening remarks in the ACA courtesy call on Jordanian National Library Director General Dr. Nidal Al-Ahmad on 12 February 2024.

The ASEAN Committee in Amman (ACA) during the meeting with Jordanian National Library Director General Dr. Nidal Al-Ahmad and officials on 12 February 2024.

The ASEAN Committee in Amman (ACA) during the tour and visit of the Jordanian National Library with Director General Dr. Nidal Al-Ahmad on 12 February 2024.

Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos also donated these books to the Jordanian National Library on 12 February 2024.

For more information, visit www.ammanpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJordan/, or https://www.instagram.com/phinjordan/