Perface The transition to a low-carbon energy future presents meaningful opportunities for the Kingdom of Jordan and for the broader Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region. In particular, the development of a green-hydrogen economy, harnessing the region’s abundant renewable energy potential holds promise for economic diversification, job creation and sustainable growth. At the same time, however, this promise must be approached with caution and a clear sense of justice, responsibility and long-term national and local interest. There is significant interest in green-hydrogen exports and a strong potential for Jordan to play a key role in emerging regional value chains. However, if these projects develop purely as resource-extraction ventures; deploying renewable energy assets solely for hydrogen production destined for export, then national value addition, local community benefit, and the broader domestic energy transition may be marginalized. the hydrogen economy should be built as a partnership of equals, not as a new enclave of extraction, where foreign capital and a privileged few captures most of the value. It must create quality local jobs, promotes technology and knowledge transfer, involves civil society, and supports sustainable growth in local communities. This includes a special focus on youth employment in regions of high unemployment, ensuring fairness, inclusion, and long-term national benefit. Beyond climate goals, the global push for renewable hydrogen is also reshaping economic power; countries and companies are racing to dominate electrolyzer manufacturing and green-tech value chains. Without a robust national strategy, Jordan risks being sidelined as other global powers scale up. Therefore, its hydrogen journey should prioritize technology transfer, skills development and strong governance. At the same time, the geopolitical and strategic dimensions must be taken into consideration, as hydrogen infrastructure is built, important questions arise—on whom will Jordan depend for supply, technology, finance, and infrastructure; Experiences in other regions show that energy contracts signed without a robust national strategy can expose countries to strategic vulnerabilities. long-term national benefit and meaningful local participation must be prioritized. Jordan's own path to decarbonization cannot be compromised. The Principle of Additionality must be non-negotiable Any renewable energy deployed for hydrogen production must come from new capacity. Moreover, direct electrification remains more energy-efficient than hydrogen for many applications, policy should continue to prioritize electrification wherever technically and economically feasible. Water is a critical input to green-hydrogen production: around nine liters of high-purity water are required to produce 1 kg of hydrogen, with real-world consumption often higher. In Jordan and other water-stressed MENA countries, introducing a large industrial hydrogen-priority extraction of water without commensurate benefit to local communities would be imprudent. If desalination or other additional infrastructure is 4