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Assessing Jordan’s progress on the sustainable development goals
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Jordan has good statistical capacity and a nearly complete list of the indicators of progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Comparing Jordan’s current status of and progress on the SDGs, global, regional and national assessments are similar in some obvious cases (such as SDG 8 on employment and growth); but in many cases, they differ, at times significantly on important indicators (such as SDG 1 on poverty).
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Desertification COP Produces Mixed Results on Land and Drought
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he UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)’s COP16 summit concluded without an agreement to tackle drought, while making some progress on other issues, including civil society engagement and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
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Urban Transformation and Sustainability
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Population growth and increasing urbanisation will stimulate the construction of new megacities worldwide, expected to reach nearly 50 by 2050. Minerals and metals supplied by the mining industry play a vital role in construction. Metal suppliers, particularly those providing key metals like steel, will be instrumental in meeting the growing infrastructure needs of these cities. However, they will also face the daunting task of reducing carbon emissions and embracing digitalisation to ensure sustainable and efficient operations.
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A ‘doom loop’ of climate change and geopolitical instability
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It is a common refrain to say that geopolitics gets in the way of climate action. From the war in Ukraine to trade tensions, each year seems to bring another immediate priority that diverts focus from the imperative to act on climate change.
This dynamic was on show at the recent UN climate conference – Cop29 – in Azerbaijan.
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Tackling region’s water scarcity amid rising temperatures
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The Middle East and North Africa region is facing an acute and intensifying water crisis. Already the most water-scarce region in the world, MENA is now contending with the escalating impacts of climate change, which have exacerbated water shortages through rising temperatures, reduced rainfall and more frequent and prolonged droughts.
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Qatar aims for growth through long-term transformation
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Capitalising on its strategic location between Africa, Asia and Europe, Qatar is taking steps to diversify its economy with the aim of achieving sustainable growth. Central to its plans is the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), which sets out the gulf state’s strategy for transformation through long-term economic, social and environmental development.
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Billions face arid future as climate change turns land to desert
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About 77.6 per cent of Earth’s land was under drier conditions during the three decades up to 2020 compared to the 30 years before, according to the report from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
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Transforming education and building resilience by embracing life skills
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As global challenges such as persistent crises and rising inequalities reshape our world, the role of education becomes more pivotal. Modern education is extending beyond the transmission of knowledge to include the development of cognitive skills, resilience, empathy and critical thinking.
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Regional Countries Stress Respect For Syrian People’s Will
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The fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government yesterday, has brought Syria into the spotlight of the Middle East. While closely monitoring future developments, regional countries expressed support for the will and choice of the Syrian people, and hoped for a swift restoration of unity and security in the country.
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