Amman, Sept 5 (Petra) -- The Steering Committee for Voluntary Service, chaired by Minister of Youth Raed Adwan, approved on Saturday the national plan to mark the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026).

Speaking in the presence of UN Volunteers (UNV) National Coordinator Noor Al-Hakim and senior ministry officials, Adwan stated that the selection of the Ministry of Youth as the national focal point for the global observance reflects Jordan’s leading status in voluntary service. He credited this achievement to the sustained support of HRH Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, citing key national initiatives including the Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Service and the National Charter for Volunteering.

Adwan emphasized that this designation presents an opportunity to highlight Jordan’s voluntary model internationally, strengthen strategic cooperation with the UNV program, and exchange best practices to advance youth initiatives.

He added that the ministry, in coordination with the Department of Statistics, is developing a national volunteering index to measure participation rates and motivations across the Kingdom, providing empirical data to guide future policy frameworks.

Regional Coordinator for the Arab States for the International Year of Volunteers Nada Belhassen delivered a presentation on the global initiative, underlining its role in promoting civic engagement and highlighting volunteers' contributions toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting concluded with a review of the national event schedule, alongside contributions from committee members detailing joint programs planned for 2026.

The Steering Committee includes Crown Prince Foundation CEO Tamam Mango, Ministry of Youth Secretary-General Mazen Abu Baqar, Ministry of Culture Secretary-General Nidal Al-Ayasrah, Ministry of Social Development Secretary-General Barq Al-Dhmour, Civil Defense Directorate Director Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Swaylmeen, as well as representatives from the ministries of labor and education, the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), and independent voluntary work experts.

//Petra// AF

05/09/2026 20:31:12