Amman, 11 May 2008 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation launched today in Aqaba “The Millennium Development Goals Report for Aqaba”.
As part of the monitoring of the progress towards the MDGs, Jordan issued its first MDG report in the year 2004. The report revealed that in spite Jordan is on track in most of the MDGs, yet regional disparity exists among governorates. Hence, localizing the MDGs became vital to Jordan to achieve the goals by the year 2015.
Localizing the MDGs is a method that is vital not only to address disparities and marginalization at the sub-national level but also to provide an integrated framework for development that enables linking global, national, and sub-national concerns through the same set of goals. It also provides a framework for accountability through the setting of targets and indicators; and participatory decision-making processes.
Aqaba is a key area in which to utilize the MDGs as a platform for a multi-sectoral, multi-partner approach to sustainable development. Aqaba has great scope of economic activity, tremendous efforts in foreign direct investment promotion and important natural environment which is key to further prosperity and growth. Yet, there are pressing social needs of the governorate’s local population that are not being addressed systematically.
Aqaba MDG Report is within the framework of the UNDP/ASEZA project “Preparation of a Millennium Development Goals Report for the Governorate of Aqaba in Support of the Formulation of a Sustainable Human Development Strategy and Implementation Plan”. The implementing body of this project is ASEZA’s Community Development Directorate. In support, the Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation provided the needed expertise to prepare and review the report and supported the awareness and the capacity building workshops in collaboration with UNDP Jordan and UNDP’s Capacity 2015 Regional Programme for Arab States. The latter, provided technical assistance to the project throughout all its phases, conducted and enriched the workshops by sharing global experiences and providing sources regarding preparing Millennium Development Goals and localization Reports.
The Aqaba MDG Report sheds light on the achievements and challenges facing Aqaba Governorate in achieving each one of the Millennium Development Goals. The education goal is on track while poverty and environment need more attention. Gender equality can be achieved in access to education, while, more needs to be done in terms of economic participation and decision making. Health indicators vary with a clear need to improve statistical coverage of the relevant indicators. The Report also shows that disparities within Aqaba exist where certain districts are doing better than other.
Governmental and non-governmental organizations were part of the preparation process and participated in the collection of its statistics and data and in the consultative sessions that discussed strengths and challenges in Aqaba. Based on that, the Report’s findings and recommendations managed to reflect the local needs that are closer to the reality of the Governorate. Therefore, the Report is considered as the entry point and a common platform for all civil society actors to engage in constructive relationships and collaboration with local authority.
Aqaba Governorate has been a pilot in the country to launch its MDGs report. UNDP is currently working closely with the Governorate of Zarqa in the preparations of the Governorate’s MDG report, whereby statistics are collected and consultative sessions are currently being conducted for the same purpose.
The ceremony included statements and presentations by H.E. Dr. Bilal Bashir, Deputy Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone, Mr. Luc Stevens, UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Abla Amawi, UNDP’s Regional Coordinator & Capacity Development Advisor and Mr. Ziad Obeidat, Director of the Monitoring & Evaluation Direcotrat of Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation.
UNDP has been assigned by the United Nations to work with a wide range of partners to help create coalitions for change to support the Goals at global, regional and national levels, to benchmark progress towards them and to help countries build the institutional capacity, policies and programmes needed to achieve the MDGs.
On September 2000, the UN General Assembly held the Millennium Summit for development in the presence of 189 state leaders who adopted at the summit’s final address “the Millennium Declaration”. Based on the Declaration eight main goals were identified as the Millennium Development Goals. Each of the eight goals has measurable targets that are essential elements for achieving the sustainable development for all. They comprise of eradicating poverty, provision of education and health to everyone, empowering women and concern for the environment.
Arabic Press Release