Government: Signing the agreements comes within preparations to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism in 2030.اضافة اعلان
Government: Agreements include executing a $120 million package of projects on lands adjacent to Al-Maghtas.
Government: Agreements cover design preparations for the Baptism Site Museum at a cost of $50 million.
Government: Agreements include design preparations for an integrated pilgrims and visitors village at a cost of nearly $40 million.
Government: Preliminary work for the museum and integrated pilgrims village projects will begin at the end of Q1 2027.
Government: Completion of the museum and integrated pilgrims village projects is expected during Q1 2029.
Under the patronage of Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, agreements for implementing major projects within the National Master Plan for developing lands adjacent to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas) were signed at the Prime Ministry on Wednesday, as part of preparations to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030.
The signing follows the first meeting of the high-level National Committee for the preparation of the bi-millennial anniversary, chaired by the Prime Minister, to implement royal directives to adopt and support this national initiative, thereby reinforcing Jordan's position as the home of the Baptism of Jesus Christ and a global destination for Christian pilgrimage.
The agreements encompass a project package totaling approximately $120 million on 1,400 dunams of land adjacent to Al-Maghtas. This includes $50 million for designing the Baptism Site Museum, nearly $40 million for designing an integrated pilgrims and visitors village, $27 million for infrastructure works, and an estimated $3 million for creating a green corridor.
These projects result from cooperation between the government, national institutions, the private sector, and international partners under an integrated vision that balances preserving the site's sanctity, religious, and human heritage with elevating the experience of pilgrims and visitors and supporting local tourism and economic development.
The Baptism Site Museum project, spanning 5,500 square meters, aims to provide a world-class cultural experience telling the story of the Baptism site and its religious and historical dimensions through modern architectural design, interpretive content, and specialized exhibits executed by local and international companies.
The projects also include constructing an integrated pilgrims and visitors village as an extension of the Al-Maghtas visiting experience. It will feature reception plazas, a visitor center, a hotel, restaurants, retail shops, a church, and service facilities, enriching the Christian pilgrimage journey and offering visitors a comprehensive and deep immersion into the site's religious and cultural legacy.
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) will design the green corridor to protect biodiversity, enhance vegetation cover, and establish eco-corridors and walking trails in alignment with UNESCO recommendations for preserving Al-Maghtas, a designated World Heritage site.
Infrastructure works cover main roads, water, desalination, and irrigation systems, electrical and solar power networks, street lighting, and various supporting services required to serve the site and its visitors.
According to the project timeline, preliminary works for both the museum and the pilgrims village will start at the end of Q1 2027, with main construction beginning at the end of Q2 2027. Both projects are expected to be completed during Q1 2029.
The signing ceremony was attended by members of the high-level National Committee—including the Ministers of Government Communication, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Planning and International Cooperation, and Tourism and Antiquities—alongside religious and community leaders, representatives of relevant entities, contractors, consultants, project management, and board members of the development foundation.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Emad Hijazeen stated in his address that Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership, remains a guardian of religious and human heritage, a model for peace, dialogue, and tolerance, and a trusted partner in safeguarding holy sites. He added that the agreements represent a strategic partnership and national responsibility to boost Jordan's international presence.
Hijazeen noted that the Prime Minister stressed the need during the committee meeting to accelerate implementation and build synergy among all partner institutions to translate royal directives into concrete executive programs fitting for this global event.
For his part, Tharwat Al-Masalha, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site, emphasized that these projects carry special importance ahead of the 2030 bi-millennial celebration initiated by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan and supported by King Abdullah II. He reaffirmed that the foundation was established to develop and manage these lands under a holistic vision that combines faith, history, culture, and nature.
The signed agreements mark a major operational step in preparing for the 2,000th anniversary in 2030, enhancing Al-Maghtas' readiness to welcome pilgrims and visitors from around the globe and cementing Jordan's standing on the global Christian pilgrimage map.
His Majesty King Abdullah II had directed the government to adopt and support the initiative presented by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan and to coordinate with churches and Christian institutions worldwide to expand international participation in celebrating this event at its original location.
The initiative aims to develop religious narratives and programs, enhance the Christian pilgrimage product, market the Baptism site and other religious landmarks regionally and internationally, and upgrade infrastructure and services to reflect Jordan's message of peace, love, and harmony.
