Amman, Sept 5 (Petra) — The Steering Committee for Voluntary
Service, chaired by Minister of Youth Raed Adwan, approved on
Saturday the national plan to mark the International Year of
Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026).

Speaking in the presence of UN Volunteers (UNV) National Coordinator
Noor Al-Hakim and senior ministry officials, Adwan stated that the
selection of the Ministry of Youth as the national focal point for
the global observance reflects Jordan’s leading status in voluntary
service. He credited this achievement to the sustained support of HRH
Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, citing key national
initiatives including the Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for
Voluntary Service and the National Charter for Volunteering.

Adwan emphasized that this designation presents an opportunity to
highlight Jordan’s voluntary model internationally, strengthen
strategic cooperation with the UNV program, and exchange best
practices to advance youth initiatives.

He added that the ministry, in coordination with the Department of
Statistics, is developing a national volunteering index to measure
participation rates and motivations across the Kingdom, providing
empirical data to guide future policy frameworks.

Regional Coordinator for the Arab States for the International Year
of Volunteers Nada Belhassen delivered a presentation on the global
initiative, underlining its role in promoting civic engagement and
highlighting volunteers’ contributions toward achieving Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting concluded with a review of the national event schedule,
alongside contributions from committee members detailing joint
programs planned for 2026.

The Steering Committee includes Crown Prince Foundation CEO Tamam
Mango, Ministry of Youth Secretary-General Mazen Abu Baqar, Ministry
of Culture Secretary-General Nidal Al-Ayasrah, Ministry of Social
Development Secretary-General Barq Al-Dhmour, Civil Defense
Directorate Director Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Swaylmeen, as well as
representatives from the ministries of labor and education, the King
Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), and independent voluntary
work experts.

//Petra// AF