Remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan at the High-Level Meeting on Child Cancer and Health Systems

Your Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal 

Your Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bdour, Minister of Health 

Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honor to be with you today, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General and full UN system, as we gather to advance one of the most pressing global health priorities: giving every child facing cancer a fair chance to survive and to live a full life.

This year, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal, Jordan marks World Childhood Cancer Day with three significant steps forward: the launch of the National Cancer Control Plan, the National Childhood Cancer Guidelines, and Jordan’s membership in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, which was co-founded by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the World Health Organization.

Taken together, these are not symbolic actions. They are structural decisions that strengthen the entire childhood cancer response system.

By joining the Global Platform, Jordan has secured five years of uninterrupted access to quality-assured cancer medicines, free of charge, for all children in need, including refugees. 

That commitment provides certainty for families and stability for the health system. It removes one of the greatest sources of fear: whether treatment will be available and affordable. No child nor family facing serious disease should ever have the double burden of worrying they can’t access the treatments that do exist. And thanks to the platform and Jordan’s leadership, children in the Kingdom will not have to.

This is what SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being — means in real terms. But good health does not stand alone. It is linked to poverty, to education, to inequality, and to partnerships. When children are treated early and effectively, they are more likely to return to school and to productive lives. When access to care includes marginalized and refugee communities, we build a fairer society. When families are protected from catastrophic health costs, they are less likely to fall into poverty. 

Jordan’s approach recognizes that financial protection is not an added benefit; it is central to resilience. Shielding families from overwhelming costs is both a matter of fairness and a strategic investment in the country’s future. And stronger health outcomes contribute to stronger human capital, which underpins sustainable economic growth.

This direction is fully aligned with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, which prioritizes quality public services as a foundation for long-term stability. By linking social protection with high standards of care and clear national planning, Jordan is building a system that is more predictable, equitable, and sustainable. And by working together across institutions —government, medical, civil society, private sector, and the UN — we can align our complementary strengths to reinforce that system, raising childhood cancer survival in Jordan.

At the same time, medicines and hospital services alone are not enough. We must continue to strengthen prevention, early detection, and public awareness. We must address the broader determinants of health — nutrition, education, safe environments, and equal access to services. That requires coordination across sectors and sustained partnership.

The message today is straightforward. We now move from commitment to implementation. That means expanding prevention and early detection, addressing the wider factors that affect people’s health, ensuring consistent, high-quality care for every child, and protecting families from the financial strain that illness can bring.

The United Nations stands ready to support the Government of Jordan and all partners in this effort.

Together, we can build a future where every child not only survives, but thrives—and has the opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to Jordan’s future.

Thank you.