Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development: Insight on Jordan’s Challenges and Opportunities

Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development: Insight on Jordan’s Challenges and Opportunities

Jordan Participates in Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development

The Higher Population Council (HPC) of Jordan recently attended the Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development. The conference, held at the UN headquarters in Beirut, aimed at fostering discussions, sharing knowledge among Arab nations, and stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities in the region. The platform also served to scrutinize the progress and hindrances in implementing the commitments of the 2013 Cairo Declaration, proposing policy resolutions to expedite its execution.

Jordan’s National Review: A Five-Year Assessment

The national review of Jordan unveiled the challenging circumstances faced over the last five years of the Cairo Declaration’s implementation. The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these challenges, significantly impacting various aspects of Jordanian society. Despite these daunting situations, significant progress was observed in several sectors, including health, social, economic, political, and education. However, the country also struggled with ongoing issues like the pandemic, global economic challenges, regional political instability, refugee crisis, and geopolitical conflicts such as the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Population Surge and Its Implications

The population of Jordan has more than doubled in the last two decades, peaking at 11.4 million people in mid-2023. A significant contribution to this increase comes from the refugees. This rapid population growth has imposed additional strains on the country’s economy, demographics, environment, and security.

Recommendations from the Conference

The conference concluded with several recommendations. These included enhancing institutional capacity through increased financing, developing effective policy frameworks, implementing mechanisms, and coordinating between sectors. The importance of collecting and analyzing data, conducting research for evidence-based policymaking, promoting gender equality, and improving sexual and reproductive services were also underscored.

Further, the conference proposed adopting a comprehensive approach for all life stages and strengthening regional dialogue and cooperation to handle cross-border challenges. These challenges include forced displacement, climate change, and food insecurity.

Conclusion

In summary, the Arab Regional Conference on Population and Development served as a valuable platform for Jordan and other Arab nations to discuss, learn, and strategize about the population and development concerns in the region. While Jordan has made significant strides in various sectors, it also grapples with a multitude of challenges. The recommendations from the conference provide a roadmap for Jordan and other nations to address these issues systematically and holistically.