On September 20, 2024, a significant diplomatic event unfolded in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland. Governor Wes Moore hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Maryland State House, marking a historic first in the state's 236-year history. This unprecedented visit by a foreign head of state to the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use underscores the growing importance of state-level diplomacy in the United States.
The focal point of the royal visit was a roundtable discussion that brought together business and education leaders from across Maryland. This gathering aimed to explore shared objectives and potential collaborations between the state and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Governor Moore, who assumed office in 2023 as Maryland's first African American governor, emphasized the significance of the occasion:
"This is a way to come together to talk about common goals, to talk about common interests and to talk about cooperation that we think is going to be so important, and we have brought leaders from across the state to engage in this historic visit, as we look to have this very vibrant discussion about our people and our economies and our opportunities and also are futures."
The meeting highlighted the diverse economic landscape of Maryland, which encompasses sectors such as biotechnology and aerospace, potentially aligning with Jordan's efforts to diversify its economy beyond services, tourism, and foreign aid.
Interestingly, Governor Moore and King Abdullah II share a military background as former paratroopers. Moore served with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, while Abdullah previously commanded Jordan's Special Forces, established in 1963. This shared experience seemed to foster an immediate rapport between the leaders.
King Abdullah II, who ascended to the Jordanian throne in 1999 and is a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad, expressed optimism about the burgeoning relationship:
"We are instantly good friends. He's a fellow paratrooper, so that goes a long way to this relationship. This meeting would start a new page in the relationship between Maryland and Jordan."
The royal visit to Maryland followed King Abdullah's participation in the United Nations General Assembly in New York earlier that week. This engagement at the state level complements Jordan's role as a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, a relationship formalized by a free trade agreement signed in 2000.
As Maryland explores this new diplomatic avenue, it builds upon its existing international connections, such as its sister-state relationship with China's Anhui Province, established in 1980. This latest engagement with Jordan could potentially address shared challenges, including water resource management, given Jordan's water scarcity issues and Maryland's stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.
The historic meeting between Governor Moore and King Abdullah II not only symbolizes growing state-level international engagement but also opens possibilities for cultural and economic exchanges. As both Maryland and Jordan navigate their unique challenges and opportunities, this diplomatic initiative may serve as a model for future state-led international collaborations.