On its 70th anniversary, UN commends Jordan’s ‘invaluable contribution’

AMMAN — The Kingdom celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations on Saturday with an event led by senior representatives of the nation and the UN. 

At the event, whose theme was “Strong UN, Better World”, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon highlighted the Kingdom’s “invaluable contribution to the UN system” and described it as “a country that has, over decades, proven its generosity and hospitality to people fleeing violence in the region”.

He also praised Jordan’s current role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, noting that the Kingdom is one of the largest contributors of peacekeepers to UN missions. 

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury commended the organisation’s “tremendous effort in uniting governments and people across the world in order to maintain peace, security, and to promote social progress, development and better living conditions.” 

The Syrian crisis topped both speakers’ calls for cooperation between the UN and Jordan, with Kallon saying that it is “internationally recognised as the worst humanitarian disaster the world has faced since the Second World War”.

“Over the past four years, Jordan took decisive steps to tackle the dual challenges brought about by the spillover of the Syria crisis, protecting and meeting the needs of Syrian refugees and strengthening the capacity of the government to respond sustainably and meet the development needs and aspirations of its citizens,” Kallon said.

Fakhoury noted that the UN “has advocated strongly for greater burden-sharing by the international community”, adding that the presence of over 1.4 million Syrians in Jordan places “tremendous strain and pressure on our country’s social and economic systems and institutions”. 

The minister also lauded Jordan’s achievements in relation to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, which end this year, and in which gains were made in poverty reduction, health, education, gender equality, environment and other areas. 

The Kingdom also contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which target the year 2030.

The celebration featured a performance of classic Arabic and Western songs by the Jordanian National Orchestra Association (JOrchestra).

UN Jordan also marked the UN’s 70th anniversary on Saturday by lighting up Amman’s Citadel and parts of the ancient city of Petra in the organisation’s official shade of blue, with the nation’s heritage sites joining more than 150 iconic monuments lit up for this occasion in countries across the world.