Opening Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, H.E. Ms. Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, presented at the Launching Workshop of the Third National Voluntary Review

It is a pleasure to be with you today as we officially launch Jordan’s Third Voluntary National Review for 2026. This review marks an important national milestone in Jordan’s journey toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I would like to thank the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation for its leadership in bringing us together, and I also wish to reaffirm the United Nations’ commitment to supporting you in this important national effort.

The Voluntary National Review is more than a reporting exercise. It is a country-led process that allows Jordan to take stock—honestly and rigorously—of where it stands, where progress has been made, and where challenges remain. At its core, the VNR reflects the spirit of the 2030 Agenda itself: inclusiveness, transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and a firm commitment to leaving no one behind, especially the most vulnerable groups in society.

Jordan has already undertaken the VNR process twice, in 2017 and 2022, strengthening national ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals and deepening dialogue across institutions and partners. The third VNR, however, comes at a particularly critical moment. Jordan today is navigating complex economic and fiscal pressures, severe constraints on natural resources, and continued exposure to regional and global shocks. Yet it is precisely in moments like this that Jordan has consistently chosen to press forward rather than pull back.

The 2026 VNR is an opportunity for Jordan to demonstrate clearly and credibly that external shocks will not constrain its development ambition, and that nations can act with seriousness, discipline, and leadership even in the most challenging contexts. This review is intentionally designed as a comprehensive national reflection, not a narrow technical assessment. It examines how far Jordan has progressed since 2022, how national policies and reforms align with the SDGs, and where gaps remain in policy, financing, and data. It also allows us to learn honestly from earlier VNRs—what worked well, where momentum slowed, and how we can accelerate together.

Jordan’s VNR journey tells a story of evolution, from integrating the SDGs into national planning, to building resilience in response to COVID-19 and refugee pressures, and now toward acceleration by aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision and focusing on priority goals where meaningful progress before 2030 is still possible.

Equally important is how this VNR is being prepared. The process is intentionally inclusive and participatory. Line ministries, civil society, the private sector, academia, youth, local authorities, UN agencies, and development partners all have a role to play. This collective ownership will ensure that the VNR is not just a report submitted to New York, but a practical tool that informs policy, strengthens partnerships, and supports real change on the ground.

This is where you, the participants in this room, are absolutely central. This VNR is not just another strategy or document. The value of this review, and the credibility of Jordan’s message internationally, will be shaped by the quality and seriousness of the work you lead over the coming months. Through this process, you are helping to ensure that Jordan moves faster, smarter, and more coherently toward sustainable development. You are contributing not only as professionals and public servants, but as people who deeply care about the long-term good of your country and its future generations.

By working together, we can ensure that Jordan’s Third Voluntary National Review tells an honest and forward-looking story—one that reflects Jordan’s resilience, leadership, and shared commitment to sustainable development for all, no matter the challenges. Thank you, and I look forward to working closely with all of you in the months ahead.