Canada-Jordan relations

Bilateral relations

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jordan and Canada. Jordan is a key partner for Canada in the Middle East, as demonstrated by our significant international assistance to Jordan and our cooperation in multiple key areas. Aside from promoting regional and international stability, mainly through the support and advocacy of sustainable solutions to the conflict in Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, our shared interests include:

Combatting terrorism and transnational crime;
Strengthening capacity to mitigate chemical, biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security threats;
Refugee protection;
Humanitarian assistance;
Free trade and commercial opportunities;
Inclusive education, accountable governance and sustainable economic growth; and
Women’s economic empowerment.

Canada and Jordan also share strong people to-people links through a Jordanian-Canadian community largely centred in Toronto, Jordanian students studying in Canada, and Canadians living and working in Jordan. Canada is represented in Jordan by its embassy in Amman, which is one of our largest in the region. Jordan is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa.

Since 2016, through the Middle East Engagement Strategy, Canada has contributed over $649 million to support Jordan’s stability and resilience as it manages the effects of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. Jordan hosts over 650,697 registered Syrian refugees (possibly up to 1.3 million in total), representing more than 10% of its population. In addition to Syrian refugees, Jordan hosts another 67,250 registered Iraqi refugees, as well as more than 20,000 refugees from other countries.

Trade relations

Jordan is the first Arab country with which Canada has a Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2012. Bilateral trade in 2023 exceeded $326 million.

Canada’s exports to Jordan are diversified and span a range of sectors, including:

Motor vehicles and parts;
Consumer goods;
Aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts;
Farm, fishing, and intermediate food products;
Electronic and electrical equipment and parts; and
Industrial machinery, equipment and parts.

Since 2011, Canada has issued 15,675 Canadian study permits to Jordanian students. The total number of Jordanian study permit holders in Canada in 2023 was 1,425.

Development

Under its Middle East Engagement Strategy launched in 2016, Canada is supporting Jordan’s efforts to build the resilience of individuals, communities and institutions through better access to quality education, sustainable and inclusive economic growth (with a focus on economic reform and the empowerment of women and youth), and inclusive governance, including municipal services. This support recognizes that in a refugee hosting situation, compounded by economic challenges, stability can be enhanced through strengthened education, employment and other opportunities for refugees and host communities. For more information, see Canada’s Middle East Engagement Strategy.

Security and stabilization

Canada is committed to supporting Jordan’s capacity to provide internal security and defend its borders from various threats including those posed by terrorism and transnational criminal activity, as well as to detect, prevent and respond to CBRN threats. Canada and Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defence cooperation in the spring of 2012, which reinforces the close relationship enjoyed by the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Canadian Armed Forces. In addition, MOUs on preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and related materials, and on increasing security and stabilization cooperation were signed in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Through the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program Canada delivers specialized intelligence, firearms, search and rescue, and medical training to build the capacity of female officers within the Jordanian Special Operations Forces. This initiative supports Jordan’s second National Action Plan (JONAP II) for advancing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325). It also aligns with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy to help strengthen global peace and security through increased women’s representation in the security sector.

A Canadian Armed Forces Training Assistance Team is also based in Jordan to implement capacity-building efforts through Operation IMPACT, part of Canada’s whole of-government approach to the Middle East. For more information, see Operation IMPACT.

Through its Weapons Threat Reduction Program, Canada has been supporting Jordan – a member country of the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP) – to strengthen capacities to prevent, detect and respond to a broad range of CBRN threats. Programming efforts to mitigate CBRN threats have included:

The provision of personal protective and detection equipment, training for first responders and the provision of two biological laboratories to enhance biosecurity and disease detection capabilities;
Strengthening Jordan's capacity to detect and prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials through the supply and installation of radiation detection equipment at key border crossings and airports; provision of handheld radiation detection and identification equipment; and the delivery of related operational and maintenance training to Jordan’s Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission personnel.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Jordan work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

Date modified:: 2024-09-11

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