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
