Algiers: Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa engaged in several high-level discussions on Wednesday during the 16th Session of the Committee on Social Development and the 4th Arab Forum in Algeria. These meetings focused on advancing cooperative efforts in social welfare, economic empowerment, and strategies to combat poverty.
According to Jordan News Agency, Bani Mustafa met with Brazil's Minister of Social Development and Fight against Hunger, Wellington Dias, to discuss Jordan's initiatives in economic empowerment and support for small-scale income-generating projects aimed at vulnerable families. She emphasized the critical role of these initiatives in enhancing productivity and livelihoods, particularly by expanding the care economy and promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Bani Mustafa highlighted the importance of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, initiated by Brazil and joined by Jordan, as a crucial platform for global coordination in eradicating hunger and poverty and promoting human dignity in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Bani Mustafa also detailed Jordan's efforts in establishing the Arab Center for Social Policies and the Eradication of Multidimensional Poverty, which is hosted by the Kingdom as per a resolution by the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs. The center is designed to build technical capacities across the Arab region in poverty eradication, develop effective social policy strategies, and strengthen national responses to poverty-related challenges. Minister Dias expressed Brazil's readiness to provide technical support for the center and its programs.
In a separate meeting with Algeria's Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Affairs, Kaoutar Krikou, Bani Mustafa reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties and the importance of ongoing collaboration on shared social development programs. She shared insights into Jordan's services for key populations, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children in need of care and protection. Bani Mustafa expressed gratitude for Algeria's efforts in hosting the current session of the social development committee and highlighted the forum's significance in advancing development work among participating countries. Minister Krikou commended the depth of Jordanian-Algerian relations and emphasized the need for enhanced dialogue and exchange of best practices in social protection.
In her meeting with Somalia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Yusuf Mohamed Adan, Bani Mustafa discussed pathways for cooperation in social welfare. She outlined Jordan's recently updated National Social Protection Strategy, which aims to broaden the inclusion of vulnerable populations and develop responsive mechanisms for crisis and shock management in line with national modernization tracks. The ministers also discussed preparations for the upcoming session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs to be held later this year in Amman. Bani Mustafa invited Somalia to sign the statute of the Arab Center for Social Policies and the Eradication of Multidimensional Poverty. Minister Adan expressed appreciation for Jordan's social service programs and showed interest in closer coordination and experience-sharing.
Additionally, Bani Mustafa met with Libya's Minister of Social Affairs, Wafaa Abu Bakr Al-Kilani, to explore joint cooperation in various social sectors. Discussions included the Arab center in Jordan, and Bani Mustafa urged Libya to support the center's activities and sign its founding statute, citing its potential for enhancing development across Arab countries. Minister Al-Kilani praised the strong relations between Jordan and Libya and stressed the importance of continued collaboration and leveraging Jordan's experience in social development.