Amman, July 29 (Petra) — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani
Mustafa and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive
Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(ESCWA) Rania Al-Mashat discussed ways to expand cooperation on
social development programs.

During a meeting held at the ministry headquarters on Wednesday, Bani
Mustafa highlighted the “strategic” partnership between the ministry
and ESCWA in supporting programs targeting vulnerable groups and
strengthening Jordan’s social protection system in line with the 2030
Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister said deeper cooperation would support the Kingdom’s
development priorities, the Economic Modernization Vision and the
National Social Protection Strategy (2025-2033).

Bani Mustafa reviewed progress in implementing joint initiatives on
capacity building, technical support and knowledge exchange, calling
for supporting the Arab Center for the Study of Social Policies,
hosted by Jordan, to further regional cooperation and expertise
sharing.

The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation to
develop an “inclusive and sustainable” social protection system, with
a focus on the economic and social empowerment of persons with
disabilities and expanding their integration into society and the
labor market, according to a ministry statement.

Additionally, discussions covered support for the Amman Declaration
issued by the International-Arab High-Level Conference on
implementing the outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social
Development.

Talks tackled technical cooperation after Jordan’s accession to the
Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, and support for the
National Aid Fund’s economic empowerment policy.

In turn, Al-Mashat urged continued cooperation between ESCWA and the
Ministry of Social Development in implementing joint programs.

She expressed hope for expanding technical assistance,
capacity-building efforts and coordination in the social sector to
improve outcomes for targeted groups.

//Petra// NQ