Dr. Omar Rifai, President of the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy organized a farewell reception on April 16, 2009 in honor of the former president of the institute, Ambassador Hussein Hammami. The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Naser Judeh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the institute, members of the board and institute officials.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his appreciation for the institute’s success in the field of training diplomats cooperatively with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister stressed the fact that he expects the institute will continue to train new diplomats, particularly in the field of contemporary diplomacy. Mr. Judeh valued the contributions made by Ambassador Hammami during his presidency of the institute, pointing out that they will be a firm foundation to further develop the institute. During the reception Dr. Rifai detailed his vision to develop the institute further not only as a training institute but also as a place to contribute new creative ideas and practices to Jordanian diplomacy. He also stressed the importance of developing a research and training capacity of the institute in the field of contemporary diplomacy so that the institute would be a regional center of quality for training and research.

Dr. Rifai in conclusion expressed his deep thanks and appreciation for the distinguished efforts that characterized the work of Ambassador Hammami as a president of the institute. As an expression of his and the institute's appreciation Dr. Rifai presented Ambassador Hamammi a special gift. Ambassador Hammami gave a farewell speech in which he expressed his appreciation and thanks for this generous gesture, and he emphasised his confidence that the institute will move firmly forward during the new presidency of Dr. Rifai. He also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation and hard work of his colleagues in the institute.