UN Resident Coordinator Opening Remarks: 2025 "Better Work Jordan" Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum

It is a pleasure to join you this morning to mark 15 years of Better Work Jordan—a programme that exemplifies how the United Nations, working hand in hand with national and international partners, can deliver impact that far exceeds the scale of investment.

Today is a moment for reflection—on how far we’ve come, the challenges that remain, and the shared vision we must carry forward to ensure the continued transformation of Jordan’s garment sector.

Better Work Jordan is a rare example of a programme that achieves high impact with modest resources. It has shown how technical cooperation, grounded in tripartite dialogue, can catalyze systemic change across an entire industry.

From policy influence to institutional capacity building, and from practical compliance tools to strengthened labour standards, this programme has delivered results that go far beyond its original mandate or funding. It stands as a model for what effective, locally grounded development cooperation can achieve.

Over the past 15 years, the garment sector has become a pillar of Jordan’s export economy—while creating vital job opportunities, especially in underserved and remote communities, for Jordanians and foreign workers alike.

The Better Work Project has opened pathways for Jordanian women to enter formal employment, many for the first time. 

These pathways are not only economic gains; they are milestones of women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and national progress. 

They also bring the priorities of Jordan’s Economic and Political Modernization Visions to life and advance the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly: SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

The legacy of Better Work Jordan is evident: it has helped transform the garment industry into a more competitive, resilient, and ethical sector—and one that can serve as a model for other industries.

And on behalf of the United Nations in Jordan, I extend sincere appreciation to everyone involved in achieving this success. 

• To the Government of Jordan for their commitment to achieve the SDGs in every aspect of national life.
• To the donors for their generous financial support and partnership in this effort.
• To the colleagues from the International Labour Organization for their provision of globally unparalleled technical expertise.
• And most importantly, to the workers, employers, and institutions who work towards realizing this goal every day.

Moving forward, we must not only protect the progress made in Jordan, but go further by deepening it.

We must work together to embed social compliance into core business models, foster innovation across the supply chain, and align with global climate, trade, and labour goals to keep the sector globally competitive and locally inclusive.

We must continue to work collectively to ensure that workers continue to enjoy fair treatment, safe working conditions, and access to mechanisms for accountability and redress. 

Let us build on this legacy—by reaffirming our shared commitment to decent work, inclusive growth, and a more equitable future for all.

Thank you.