Amman: The Steering Committee for Voluntary Service, chaired by Minister of Youth Raed Adwan, has approved the national plan to commemorate the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026 (IVY 2026). This decision was made during a meeting that included UN Volunteers (UNV) National Coordinator Noor Al-Hakim and senior officials from the ministry.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Ministry of Youth has been selected as the national focal point for the international observance, highlighting Jordan's prominent role in voluntary service. Minister Adwan attributed this recognition to the ongoing support of HRH Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II and mentioned significant national initiatives such as the Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Service and the National Charter for Volunteering. He noted that this opportunity will allow Jordan to showcase its voluntary model on a global stage, enhance strategic collaboration with the UNV program, and share best practices to further youth initiatives.
Adwan also mentioned that the ministry is working with the Department of Statistics to create a national volunteering index. This index will measure participation rates and motivations across Jordan, providing essential data to inform future policy decisions. The meeting featured a presentation by Nada Belhassen, Regional Coordinator for the Arab States for the International Year of Volunteers, who emphasized the initiative's role in fostering civic engagement and recognizing volunteers' contributions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The session concluded with an overview of the national event schedule and input from committee members on joint programs planned for 2026. The Steering Committee comprises Crown Prince Foundation CEO Tamam Mango, Ministry of Youth Secretary-General Mazen Abu Baqar, Ministry of Culture Secretary-General Nidal Al-Ayasrah, Ministry of Social Development Secretary-General Barq Al-Dhmour, Civil Defense Directorate Director Brig. Gen. Nasser Al-Swaylmeen, as well as representatives from the ministries of labor and education, the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), and independent voluntary work experts.