Dr. Fatima Al-Hilalat, Commissioner of Sustainable Development at the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, conducted a field visit to the Queen Rania Al Abdullah Center for Community Empowerment in Aqaba to review their pioneering experience in community empowerment and development, and to explore prospects for joint cooperation to transfer and apply these experiences in the Petra region.

During the visit, key programs and initiatives implemented by the center were reviewed, especially in the areas of training and enhancing the role of women and youth in society.

Al-Hilalat emphasized the importance of utilizing these experiences to serve local communities in Petra, in line with the authority’s goals of empowering youth and improving their living standards.

The visit also discussed cooperation with the Shaqila Handicrafts Center, as a successful model supporting traditional crafts and providing job opportunities for local residents, and the necessity of linking these efforts with the developmental programs implemented by the authority.

Al-Hilalat affirmed that the Petra Region Authority is keen on building strategic partnerships with leading national institutions to transfer expertise and adopt best practices in sustainable development, achieving direct benefits for the local community and contributing to preserving Petra’s heritage and cultural identity.