Rich and poor nations can work together to lift millions out of severe poverty and achieve other ambitious targets for 2015 through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), says the Human Development Report 2003, released officially in Dublin on 8 July 2003.
Princess Basma Bint Talal, Honorary Human Development Ambassador for UNDP officially launched the report today in Jordan in a ceremony attended by government officials, the diplomatic community, non-governmental organizations and the local press. Also addressing the audience were Dr. Bassem Awadallah, Minister of Planning and Ms. Christine McNab, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.
Focusing on the theme of "Millennium Development Goals: A compact among nations to end human poverty", the 2003 report introduces a detailed new plan of action to meet the eight identified goals – the Millennium Development Compact. The compact urges strategic action in the fight against poverty and calls on developing countries to adopt pro-poor policies that reinforce each other and are targeted to the Goals. Donor countries are called upon to back these reforms with more resources and trade opportunities, and nations both rich and poor to put the Goals at the centre of national and global decision-making.
One particular feature of the Human Development Report which has gained considerable attention is the ranking of countries according to the Human Development Index (HDI). Derived from a variety of socio-economic factors –life expectancy, adult literacy and per capita income- the HDI is a measure of the quality of life in each country.
The 2003 Human Development Index ranks 175 countries for 2001, the most recent year of available data. The report reveals a positive picture for Jordan. Jordan has registered strong progress in health and education. However, it has not been able to reap the full benefits of its investment in people as demonstrated by a decline in per capita income.
Although Jordan’s index progressed slightly from 0.742 last year to 0.743 this year Jordan's HDI rank is 90 in 2003 compared to 87 in the 2002 report. Jordan's change in rank is partly due to a new country, Bosnia & Herzegovina introduced in the report at rank 66 for the first time and partly influenced by progress of other countries on the list.
Jordan's ranking for the Human Poverty Index for developing countries (HPI) is 7 among 94 countries and is ranked as the first among the Arab countries while its Gender Development Index (GDI) is 75 among 144 countries.
This year’s HDI ranking places Norway at the top of the list again, and Bahrain is ranked highest among Arab countries at 37. The Occupied Palestinian Territories were included in the Human Development Report for the first time, at 98.