Jordan, UN sign sustainable development framework for 2018-2022

AMMAN — The Government on Tuesday signed the Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for the period 2018-2022 with the UN representative in Jordan, providing a medium-term strategic plan for the work of the UN country team, according to a statement from the Planning Ministry.

Signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Jordan Anders Pedersen, the UNSDF embodies the UN partnership framework with the government for the next five years.

It is anchored on national priorities articulated by the Jordanian government and national development partners, and is in accordance with the values rooted in the principles of the UN charter and other internationally agreed frameworks as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

During the signing ceremony, Fakhoury said that the document is the result of more than a year of analysis, studies and consultations involving government agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, international financial institutions and academic institutions. 

He noted that the document is an important reference for identifying the strength and weakness points of the interventions of UN agencies in Jordan.

Aligned with the Integrated Framework for Economic and Social Policies for the next 10 years (Jordan 2025 document), the UNSDF was formulated in line with national development priorities, the Jordan Response Plan for the Syrian Crisis, the Executive Development Programmes  (2018-2022), in addition to the National Strategy for Human Resource Development (2016-2025) and the Roadmap for Implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda (2030) in Jordan and elsewhere, the statement said.

Over the next five years, the document will focus on achieving three interlinked priorities including strengthening institutions, empowering individuals and enhancing opportunities.

The new framework will provide a basis for enhancing the cooperation, coherence and effectiveness of development initiatives, supporting the work of UN organisations in Jordan, ensuring maximum impact at the national level and intensifying efforts to mitigate the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis, the statement added. 

The UNSDF will focus on deepening peace and stability, protecting human rights and social cohesion through capacity-building and institutional systems, empowering individuals and providing opportunities for women, youth and the most vulnerable groups.

It also aims at pursuing balanced, sustainable and comprehensive economic growth through support for a more diversified and competitive economic system, in addition to strengthening the role of women to be stronger and more equal in the political, economic and social fields, the statement added.

The minister said that Jordan will continue to count on the support of the UN to achieve its development plans and priorities set out in Jordan 2025 and its successive Executive Development Programmes aimed at sustaining Jordan’s resilience and improving the lives of Jordanians.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to emphasise our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the UN’s support to Jordan over the many years, and especially at these challenging and critical times in light of the regional circumstances,” Fakhoury said.

For his part, Pedersen stressed that UNSDF promotes the government’s commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the 17 sustainable development goals related to the agenda, human rights conventions and other agreed international treaties.

“UNFSD reflects the commitment of the UN to work towards a more coherent approach and more effective ways of linking humanitarian and development work that would support Jordan’s humanitarian response, and work towards sustainable development,” Pedersen said.