Social development minister highlights Kingdom’s innovation-driven future at UN women’s summit

AMMAN — Minister of Social Development and Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment Wafaa Bani Mustafa reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to fostering innovation and empowering youth and women under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah.

Speaking at a side event hosted by Oman, titled "Arab Women Towards Creativity and Innovation: The Era of the Industrial Revolution," during the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York on Wednesday, Bani Mustafa underscored the critical role of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping Jordan’s future.

She emphasised that His Majesty’s Economic Modernisation Vision is designed to achieve sustainable growth and enhance the quality of life for future generations by prioritising entrepreneurship, creativity, and cutting-edge services.

"Jordan’s stability and security have positioned it as a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship, providing an environment that nurtures innovation and offers the necessary tools to transform ideas into real-world success stories, she added.

"This is reflected in advancements across education, scientific research, curriculum development, and the introduction of new university programs aligned with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity."

She highlighted key initiatives driving innovation in Jordan, including the Crown Prince Foundation, the Innovation Support Fund, the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau, and Oasis500, which are helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable projects.

Bani Mustafa also showcased the success of Jordanian startups in the creative industries and technology sectors, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, software development, and artificial intelligence, noting their growing impact in global markets. She commended their achievements both locally and internationally.

Emphasising the need to cultivate a culture of creativity, she called for stronger educational frameworks that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, with a special focus on research and development. She also stressed the importance of empowering youth and women, recognising them as the driving forces behind sustainable innovation.

Additionally, Bani Mustafa addressed ethical concerns surrounding technological advancements, particularly the risks posed by artificial intelligence. She warned about the rise of deepfake technology, which can manipulate images and videos, potentially leading to misinformation, fraud, and privacy violations.

She highlighted the importance of safeguarding personal data and being mindful of AI’s reliance on big data and its associated risks.

The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, chaired by Saudi Arabia, is focused on reviewing progress in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, assessing the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly, and addressing current challenges in achieving gender equality, women's empowerment, and their contributions to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.