Amman, Sept. 13 (Petra) — Social Development Minister Wafa Bani
Mustafa discussed cooperation across several social protection fields
Sunday with World Bank Middle East Department Director Dalia Khalifa.

Bani Mustafa met Khalifa in the presence of Cristobal Ridao Cano,
World Bank Manager of the Social Protection and Labor Department in
the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with
several ministry officials.

She underscored the royal support underpinning the social protection
sector, citing His Majesty King Abdullah II’s directives to improve
quality of life for social groups, particularly the most vulnerable,
and to raise the level of services provided to them as a pillar of
comprehensive, sustainable development.

She said Jordan has adopted a sustainable approach to social
protection that goes beyond aid and crisis response, building an
integrated system linking protection to social services, economic
empowerment, shock response, and the development of institutional and
digital systems.

Bani Mustafa reviewed progress and concrete achievements in
developing the social protection system to ensure more comprehensive,
higher-quality services responsive to target groups’ needs,
highlighting priority initiatives under the National Social
Protection Strategy 2025-2033.

She outlined several priorities, including expanding the Jordanian
National Aid Fund’s (NAF) Unified Social Registry to include
additional social services alongside the social work profession,
boosting women’s participation in the labor market, and expanding
nursery provision to support the goals of the Economic Modernization
Vision.

She also cited efforts to strengthen economic empowerment pathways
for NAF’s beneficiaries by linking them to employment and training
opportunities, along with expanding inclusive services for people
with disabilities.

Bani Mustafa voiced appreciation for the active partnership with the
World Bank in supporting government priorities in social development,
calling it a contributor to building an integrated, sustainable
social protection system.

Khalifa and her accompanying delegation highlighted Jordan’s
achievements in social protection, describing the Kingdom as an
effective regional model, and voiced hope for deepening cooperation
and partnership in the future.

//Petra// NQ