On the anniversary of the birth of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, we do not stand before a symbolic occasion, but before a leadership experience that deserves to be read as a model in state management within a volatile regional and international environment. Leading Jordan through a quarter of a century has not been merely a continuation of an existing path, but a gradual re-formulation of the state's relationship with itself and its surroundings, based on conscious reform and adherence to the constants.
Since the beginning of his reign, His Majesty has realized that a state in the 21st century is not managed by traditional tools alone, and that stability is not only preserved by force, but built through a system of modern institutions, their legitimacy derived from the law and the trust of the citizens. Hence came the royal discussion papers as an attempt to establish a more mature political contract, which restores the notion of active citizenship, strengthens party life, and cements the principle of rule of law as the framework regulating public action. This vision has evolved into a comprehensive system of political, economic, and administrative modernization, transforming reform from a circumstantial response into a long-term strategic path.
In the economic field, Jordan faced successive crises: regional disturbances, major refugee waves, global financial pressures, and unprecedented pandemic repercussions. However, His Majesty's approach was not limited to crisis management; it also expanded the state's margin of movement through building strategic partnerships, enhancing regional integration in energy and transport, and engaging in cross-border cooperation projects, redefining Jordan's position from a resource-limited country to one of growing geopolitical and economic significance.
In foreign policy, His Majesty King Abdullah has entrenched Jordan's role as a rational actor in a turbulent international system. At the United Nations, and in major capitals, his discourse has been coherent, centered on advocating for political solutions to conflicts, respect for international law, and the centrality of stability as a collective interest, not a tactical choice. His stance on the Palestinian issue was not a fleeting show of solidarity, but a steadfast commitment to the two-state solution, and to the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem as a historical, political, and ethical responsibility. He has maintained national constants without slipping into slogans, and international openness without compromising identity.
In a world where challenges of non-traditional security, from terrorism to climate change, are escalating, His Majesty has been prominently involved in redefining the concept of security to include food, water, and climate security, recognizing that the stability of states is no longer measured by borders alone, but by their capacity to confront cross-border risks with justice and effective international cooperation.
Domestically, the Arab Army and security forces have remained a fundamental pillar in the state's philosophy. His Majesty's ongoing support for their capability development, armament, and training has been not merely a defensive measure, but an affirmation that stability is a prerequisite for any development. This approach has helped to cement Jordan's image as an island of stability in a troubled region, without turning that into closure or isolation.
In the context of looking towards the future, this path integrates with the role of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, who carries the banner of transformation towards the digital economy, youth empowerment, and enhancing innovation, sports, and volunteer work, reflecting a transition from managing the present to engineering the future, and the continuity of the modern state's approach through generations.
And with all this international presence and strategic effort, His Majesty remains closest to Jordanians; present among them, attentive to their affairs, recognizing that the legitimacy of the state is built not only in international forums, but in the daily trust of the citizen in their institutions.
On his birthday, we celebrate not just a public figure, but a leadership that has proven political wisdom can be a deterrent power, and that gradual reform can be a safety valve, and that adherence to constants does not contradict openness to the world. The confidence in His Majesty King Abdullah II is not an emotional stance, but an objective reading of the course of a state that has managed to maintain its balance in an era of imbalance.
Happy birthday to His Majesty the King, and year after year, under his leadership, Jordan moves forward confidently towards a future more rooted, aware, and capable of facing transformations.
