Amman: The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) and supported by Shamil – a project implemented by Development Pathways – launched Jordan’s National Elderly Strategy 2025-2030 on 17 November 2024.
With the keynote speech delivered by H.E Wafaa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development, followed by two panel discussions with experts in development, healthcare, and social services, the event was brought to life by the panellists and the audience who engaged in important conversations throughout.
One of the key focuses was the importance of social protection and economic security for older persons in Jordan. During the discussion, Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa emphasised Jordan’s pioneering role in providing comprehensive services to elderly citizens. “Jordan has been at the forefront of delivering quality care services and social insurance to our elderly population, ensuring their dignity and right to a decent life,” she stated.
Dr Stephen Kidd, Principal Social Protection Specialist of Development Pathways, praised Jordan’s social protection initiatives, noting that “Jordan has developed an excellent social protection plan that everyone can benefit from.” He emphasised that the Jordanian environment provides an important foundation for the success of projects focusing on the elderly and people with disabilities, particularly in social protection and economic empowerment. In particular, the government’s commitment to a universal old age pension for all Jordanians in the Elderly Strategy is a great leap towards this.
Dr Kidd also highlighted several global cases that showed the importance and feasibility of introducing a universal social security system in Jordan, showing that other countries were far less economically strong when they began introducing universal programmes. His presentation was further supported by a reflection on Nepal’s universal old age pension programme, led by Dr Ram Kumar Phuyal, Member of the National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal.
The strategy represents a significant step forward in Jordan’s commitment to elderly care, combining healthcare, social protection, and financial security measures to ensure a dignified life for its ageing population. The initiative also aligns with international best practices while addressing specific local needs and challenges and will set the stage for better futures for all.