Jordan Times
AMMAN (JT) - Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali on Wednesday highlighted the importance of UNDP’s annual Human Development Reports, which represent a vital tool in helping regional countries measure the efficiency level of their policies and institutions working to boost human development.
In her keynote address at a regional meeting of UNDP resident representatives in the Arab region, she noted that these reports also give the region’s countries a chance to highlight their achievements in this field and focus on areas which need more effort.
“UNDP’s support has been instrumental towards helping us achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which vigorously promote human development as the key to sustaining social and economic progress, and reflect the understanding of the devastation caused by global hunger and poverty,” she said, thanking the UNDP for their continuous support.
Al-Ali added that UNDP has assisted many Arab countries with their development efforts, particularly in the areas of good governance, transparency, accountability, poverty reduction, education, institutional strengthening and protection of the environment.
The minister, however, pointed out that the short-term outlook for the region remains uncertain and effective coordination and collaboration is imperative in order to secure a better future for the peoples of the region.
Within this context, Al-Ali noted that while it is important to understand the similarities among countries of the region, it is also important to realise that each country has its individual social, political and economic structures that should also be taken into account when planning and presenting UNDP strategies.
In addition, she reiterated the importance of UNDP’s expanded assistance to the region, especially since a lack of sufficient financial sources hinders many regional countries’ abilities to tackle the challenges associated with poverty and unemployment, high budget deficits and gender inequality.
The minister also highlighted the Kingdom’s achievements, noting that the government continues to focus on education reform, upgrading healthcare, improving living conditions, as well as increasing the economic and civic participation of all Jordanians.
In her concluding remarks, Al-Ali wished the participants fruitful deliberations, expressing hope that the outcomes of this meeting will further contribute to sustainable economic development in the region.
Some 100 participants from UNDP headquarters and UNDP offices throughout the region are attending the five-day meeting on the shores of the Dead Sea.
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