Amman, Aug. 16 (Petra) -- The Ministry of Youth was officially appointed as Jordan's National Focal Point for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program to mark the 2026 International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development and promote volunteering as a key avenue for youth empowerment and community engagement.

According to a ministry statement Sunday, Minister of Youth Raed Adwan said the appointment reflects the "prominent" role of Jordan's volunteering activities and follows the attention and follow-up of Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on the volunteering portfolio.

Adwan cited Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work, the Volunteering Charter, and ministry programs under its institutional and strategic plans, including Al Hussein Work and Construction Camps and other volunteer programs that provide young people with opportunities for community participation and leadership development.

Commenting on the achievement, Adwan said the designation offers an opportunity to highlight Jordan's volunteering experience internationally, strengthen cooperation with the UN Volunteers program, exchange expertise and experiences, and contribute to developing volunteer programs and initiatives.

UN Volunteers National Coordinator in Jordan Noor Al-Hakim said volunteering is a "driving force for sustainable" development, with volunteers supporting communities, strengthening social cohesion and responding to local challenges.

She said the UN Volunteers office looks forward to working with the Ministry of Youth and national partners to highlight Jordanian achievements in volunteering during the International Year of Volunteers.

Nada Belhassen, regional coordinator for the 2026 International Year of Volunteers in the Arab States region, said Jordan was among 54 countries that co-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution 78/127 declaring 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to promoting volunteering.

Under the designation, the ministry will lead the formation of a national committee, comprising representatives of public institutions, national organizations, the private sector and civil society.

The committee will coordinate national efforts and prepare an integrated program of events and initiatives for the International Year of Volunteers, promote a culture of volunteering, highlight volunteers' contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and build cross-sector partnerships to support the sustainability of volunteer initiatives.

The ministry will also monitor and document volunteer activities and register national initiatives through the International Year of Volunteers' online knowledge portal, with the aim of highlighting Jordan's experience in organizing volunteer work and exchanging expertise with member states.

The process will culminate in a national report documenting the outcomes of the celebrations and lessons learned.

The UN General Assembly designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development to recognize volunteers' contributions to sustainable development at the global and national levels and strengthen their role as key partners in addressing development challenges and advancing social progress.

//Petra// NQ