Jordan Times
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Jordan's Millennium
Development Goals report to be launched
AMMAN (JT) — The United Nations, in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning
and International Cooperation, will launch Jordan's first Millennium Development
Goals Report today, on the occasion of the United Nations Day.
As an expression of its commitment to human development as a fundamental
objective, the Kingdom has signed the Millennium Declaration with the set of
eight goals and 18 targets, according to a UN statement.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) encapsulate the basic aspirations for a
better world. Achieving the MDGs within the lifespan of this generation would
mean that between 1990 and 2015, we halve income poverty and hunger; guarantee
primary education for all girls and boys; reduce by two third a child's risk of
dying before age five; reduce by three quarters a woman's risk of dying from
pregnancy-related causes; stop and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis; protect the ecosystem and biodiversity; and ensure that developed
countries grant more aid, fairer trade and steeper debt relief.
This is the first country status report on Jordan's progress towards the
Millennium Development Goals and will be followed with interim reports on a
regular basis.
It gives an overview of advancements in the country as well as what challenges
remain for reaching the targets by 2015, the statement said.
The event will include speeches by UN Resident Coordinator Christine McNab, and
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah.
Government officials, members of the Upper and the Lower Houses of Parliament,
the international community, heads of associations, NGOs, media, development
professionals and the private sector are expected to attend the event.
`MDGs in Action in Jordan'
The United Nations has been working with the people of Jordan for more than half
a century, therefore, and on the occasion of the United Nations Day, the United
Nations agencies in the Kingdom have organised a joint photo exhibition focusing
on the Millennium Development Goals, the statement said.
The photographs show some of the MDG-related projects of the 15 United Nations
agencies working in the country.
The exhibition will be opened officially for the public at Al Hussein Cultural
Centre, Ras Al Ain, by Awadallah today and will run through Oct. 30.