Mahafzah and Bani Mustafa Meet Executive Director to Discuss Priorities for Children

Amman, 28 September 2026 – Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Dr. Azmi Mahafzah and Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, met UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and her accompanying delegation. 

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the Government of Jordan and UNICEF in support of national priorities, and reviewed Jordan’s ongoing efforts to advance children’s rights and well-being and build on progress achieved, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

Dr. Mahafzah underscored the Ministry’s strong focus on developing the education system, improving the quality of education and learning outcomes, and linking learning to the skills needed for the future and the labour market, in partnership with UNICEF. He also stressed the importance of continuing the strategic partnership between the Government of Jordan and UNICEF to support these efforts across sectors and strengthen the capacity of national systems to respond to the needs of children and families.

The ministers also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to improve the learning process, expanding inclusive education opportunities for children with disabilities, and supporting girls to remain in education and acquire the skills they need.

For her part, Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa said Jordan has placed social protection at the heart of its national modernization pathways, alongside the Economic Modernization Vision and the political and administrative modernization tracks. This reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to economic and institutional reforms, as well as to strengthening inclusion and resilience and expanding opportunities for all.

Bani Mustafa highlighted Jordan’s key achievements in the area of childhood, including the adoption of the National Policy for Early Childhood Development and Care, which establishes early childhood as a national priority and an investment in human capital. She also highlighted the expansion of services for children with disabilities and developmental delays through the establishment of early intervention units across the Kingdom.

The Minister also outlined key priorities for the next phase of implementing the National Social Protection Strategy 2025–2033, commending the contributions of partners, including UNICEF, to its implementation. She also highlighted effective cooperation in implementing the 2026–2030 Multisectoral National Plan for the Prevention of and Response to Child Protection, Domestic Violence, and Violence against Women and Girls; strengthening the role of the voluntary sector through the Associations Classification Project; implementing the Makani Programme; and advancing a number of other priority areas that contribute to strengthening the social protection system.

For her part, Russell commended Jordan’s efforts to advance children’s rights and its role in hosting refugees and providing them with access to services. She expressed UNICEF’s appreciation for its partnership with the Government of Jordan and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to continuing to support national priorities and the Economic Modernization Vision in ways that improve the lives of children and young people.

“Jordan is achieving strong results for children,” Russell said. “We discussed with the Ministers of Education and Social Development how to translate school enrolment into quality learning and future employment opportunities, and how to make social protection a gateway to essential services and protect every child from violence, including digital violence.

“We also agreed on the opportunities that artificial intelligence and technology offer to train teachers and transform learning, and on the importance of giving particular attention to children with disabilities and ensuring that girls remain in education. Jordan has shown exceptional generosity in hosting refugees from Syria and opening its schools and services to children who need them most. UNICEF is committed to continuing to support the Government’s vision for economic modernization for the well-being of every child and young person in Jordan.”

The meeting also discussed Jordan’s role in supporting early childhood development and its participation in co-hosting the first Global Summit on Early Childhood Financing, scheduled to take place in 2027, as well as hosting a Pioneers’ Meeting in Amman in preparation for the Summit.