New York, March 11 (Petra) – Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa held meetings with international officials on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at UN offices in New York.

According to a ministry statement, Bani Mustafa, Head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, met with European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib on cooperation in women's economic empowerment. The talks covered opportunities to expand partnerships in programmes that promote women's participation in the labour market, particularly in promising sectors, and the exchange of international experiences aimed at enhancing women's economic and political participation.

Lahbib praised Jordan's humanitarian efforts toward occupied Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including providing medical treatment for children from Gaza in Jordanian hospitals.

She highlighted the role of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and commended Jordan's long-standing role in hosting refugees, particularly from Syria.

Bani Mustafa met with Cyprus Commissioner for Gender Equality Iosifina Antoniou Christodoulou to discuss cooperation and the exchange of expertise on gender equality policies and programmes. She held talks with Canada's Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Small Business and Tourism Rechie Valdez on supporting women's economic participation, entrepreneurship and small businesses.

Bani Mustafa said that Jordan is committed to strengthening international partnerships and exchanging expertise with states and international organisations to advance women's empowerment and their role in development. //Petra// AK