Amman, June 24 (Petra) – The United Nations Global Compact Network in Jordan convened its annual breakfast and 2025 General Assembly in Amman, with the participation of representatives from member companies, strategic partners, civil society organizations, and academic institutions. The gathering reaffirmed collective commitment to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In a statement issued Tuesday, Board Chairman Jamal Fariz underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation between the private sector, academia, and civil society in realizing a comprehensive national development vision. He emphasized that the network, as part of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, continues to catalyze sustainable business practices in Jordan through partnership-building and the implementation of principles centered on human rights, labor standards, environmental responsibility, and anti-corruption.

Fariz noted substantial progress in 2024, particularly among Jordanian private sector institutions working to align operations with sustainable development imperatives. Key initiatives included the Gender Equality Program and broader efforts to cultivate equitable and inclusive workplace environments.

He also highlighted expanding collaboration with the Sustainable Development Institute and local universities to promote sustainability values among youth and prepare them for employment through tailored training and empowerment programs.

Amman Stock Exchange CEO Mazen Wathafi, speaking at the event, emphasized the strategic alignment between the Exchange and the Compact Network, particularly in integrating sustainability principles into the regulatory framework of Jordan’s financial markets.

Wathafi said the Exchange plays a vital role in facilitating dialogue between investors, issuers, and financial institutions pursuing SDG-aligned growth. He stressed the growing relevance of sustainability reporting as a key metric for evaluating non-financial performance, investor trust, and long-term brand equity.

He also revealed that the Amman Stock Exchange currently chairs a United Nations advisory committee tasked with developing sustainability frameworks for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and that a new guide drawing on Jordan’s experience was launched last week to support global SMEs in adopting responsible practices.

Executive Director Aya Souqi presented the Network’s 2025 performance report, outlining major achievements, including onboarding new institutions, expanding participation in training programs, and enhancing university collaboration to integrate sustainability into academic curricula.

She detailed new initiatives designed to bridge the gap between the private sector and recent graduates through hands-on workshops and practical training in coordination with member organizations. Future plans include entrepreneurship projects and SME-targeted programs that incorporate environmental and social criteria in business model development.

The General Assembly also reviewed financial and administrative reports for 2024, approved the annual report, elected an auditor for 2025, and discussed recommendations aimed at strengthening corporate sustainability performance.

The Global Compact Network in Jordan operates under the umbrella of the United Nations Global Compact initiative, which engages thousands of companies and institutions worldwide to promote sustainable, rights-based, and anti-corruption business practices.

//Petra// AJ

24/06/2025 15:19:08