Amman, January 6 (Petra) – Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Tuesday met with Murad Wahba, Acting Executive Secretary and Under-Secretary-General of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and Sheri Ritsema-Andersen, the UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in social programmes.

Bani Mustafa discussed the partnership between the Ministry and ESCWA in supporting social development and enhancing Jordan's social protection system, in line with national priorities and the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033).

She discussed a social protection study prepared by ESCWA, noting that relevant ministries and institutions had been consulted to review the study and provide feedback.

The minister called for cooperation in developing inclusive frameworks and indicators that enhance the efficiency and equity of social programme design.

She noted that such efforts would ensure fair access to services and promote social and economic empowerment, outlining the Ministry's efforts to strengthen partnerships aimed at improving the quality of national data and indicators, enabling the measurement of social inclusion outcomes and supporting evidence-based policymaking.

She emphasised the provision of ongoing technical support in professionalising social work, case management and multi-sectoral coordination, which she described as key pillars of inclusion.

For his part, Wahba underscored the importance of progress achieved in the field of social protection and expressed hope for strengthening the partnership between ESCWA and Jordan in the coming period.

//Petra// AK