Queen attends UN Foundation’s board meeting in Jordan

AMMAN — The United Nations Foundation is holding its biannual spring board meeting in Amman, marking the second time it has convened in the Jordanian capital since October 2007. 

Her Majesty Queen Rania, who has been a UN Foundation board member since 2006, is also attending the meeting, a statement by Her Majesty’s Office said. 

The UN Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives in issue areas including peace and security, health, climate, women’s and girls’ empowerment, and technology, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems.

The Foundation was established in 1998 as a US public charity by entrepreneur, philanthropist and Chairman of Turner Enterprises Inc. Ted Turner, with the mission of supporting the work of the UN.

It focuses on issues that can help countries progress, including by tackling infectious and deadly diseases, unlocking more finance for development, improving gender data to advance opportunity for women and girls, and finding ways to help the most vulnerable populations including refugees.

This year’s board meeting includes discussions and roundtable meetings with the participation of UN community members and influential Jordanian figures. 

Led by Jordan’s UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, Anders Pedersen, heads of UN agencies in the country will brief the board on their ongoing programmes in Jordan and their future projects. 

Additionally, prominent Jordanian figures will brief board members on pressing issues pertaining to Jordan and the region. These include Minister of Education Omar Razzaz, former Jordanian minister of foreign affairs and former UN special envoy to Libya, Abdel Elah Al Khatib, former Jordanian minister of social development, Reem Abu Hassan, and Editor-in-Chief of Alghad Newspaper Jumana Ghuneimat.

The board will also host a reception with the UN community and a group of up-and-coming Jordanian social entrepreneurs, who will present their startup businesses and success stories. 

Finally, the board will visit local community support centres supported by UNHCR that provide services to both Syrian refugees and Jordanian nationals.

In addition to Queen Rania and Turner, chairman and founder of the Foundation, the board counts 13 other members, including president and CEO Kathy Calvin; director of SOAS University of London Valerie Amos; former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan; former director-general of the World Health Organisation and former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland, among others.