U.S. Envoy Praises UN-Habitat’s Efforts in Jordan

The U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Nairobi, Mrs. Jennifer Harwood, concluded her official three-day visit to several UN-Habitat projects in Jordan, underscoring UN-Habitat's ongoing efforts to advance sustainable urban development and improve the quality of life for residents.اضافة اعلان

During her visit, Mrs. Harwood attended a series of meetings with officials and conducted several field visits to UN-Habitat projects aimed at improving the living conditions of refugees and host communities.

 The visit began with a brief by Ms. Deema Abu Thiab, the Head of UN-Habitat Jordan Country Programme about UN-Habitat programme’s work in Jordan.

This was followed by a meeting with His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al-Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, who emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between Greater Amman Municipality and UN-Habitat and briefed Mrs. Harwood on the key achievements of this partnership, including the development of the first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) in the Arab Region for the city of Amman and other initiatives that aimed to enhance the city’s sustainable development and urban resilience.

The mission also included a field visit to the Al-Zohour Green Triangle Pilot Project in Amman, a green infrastructure project that was implemented by UN-Habitat with the support of Government of Japan government.

This pilot has served as a model for sustainable urban water drainage systems and is currently being scaled up with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Mrs. Harwood additionally visited Queen Rania Al-Abdullah Park in East Amman, where UN-Habitat established a community garden featuring sustainable urban agriculture components and met with local women who benefitted from vocational trainings. Additionally, at Queen Noor Park in Hashmi Al Janoubi neighbourhood, Mrs. Harwood explored community-led initiatives implemented by local artists.

Mrs. Harwood has also visited the rehabilitated Ghor Al-Safi Park and community center, the only safe and inclusive public space and community center serving Ghor Al Safi and the surrounding areas. The project, funded by the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi Partner Trust Fund, aimed to enhance the socioeconomic empowerment of local women.

During the visit, Mrs. Harwood met with H.E. the Mayor of the Municipality of the Southern Jordan Valley, the Director of Zaha Culture Center, as well as local women and youth who have benefited from implemented interventions, training programs, and support to their small businesses.

As part of the “Resilient Water Solutions Against Climate Change in Jordan and Lebanon” regional project, funded by the Adaptation, Fund Mrs. Harwood got the chance to explore the innovative irrigation system installed around the Ma’raad Wastewater Treatment Plant in Northern Jordan, which utilizes treated wastewater. She also visited Jerash University, where UN-Habitat and partners have implemented a unique permaculture demonstration site.  During her visit, she met with the university president, who commended the project’s role in enhancing the quality of education both practically and theoretically.

The visit concluded with a tour of the Bushra Secondary School for Girls in Irbid, where water harvesting and greywater treatment systems have been installed to improve water sustainability and ensure a reliable water supply for school’s facilities.

Ms. Deema Abu Thiab, Head of the UN-Habitat Jordan Country Programme, remarked: “During this important visit, Mrs. Harwood had the opportunity to witness the significant progress of the UN-Habitat programme in Jordan and key achievements made possible through the support and collaboration of local and national partners”.

 At the end of the visit, Mrs. Harwood expressed her deep appreciation for the work of the UN-Habitat Programme in Jordan and reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration to foster a more sustainable and resilient urban future.