Minister reviews Jordan’s efforts to automate social protection systems – Ammon News

Report on the Inauguration of a Digital Monitoring Workshop for Social Protection Systems

1.0 Event Overview

A specialized workshop focused on the digital monitoring and assessment system for social protection was inaugurated by Wafaa Bani Mustafa, the Minister of Social Development. The event, organized in partnership with the Social Affairs Sector of the Arab League, convened representatives from social affairs ministries across several Arab countries. The workshop’s primary objective is to enhance social protection frameworks, a critical component for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 National Strategy and Alignment with SDGs

The initiative aligns with the national vision for a comprehensive digital transformation in the public sector. This strategy directly supports the achievement of key SDGs by focusing on:

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public institutions through digital tools.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Providing scientific, data-driven tools for knowledge-based decision-making to improve the effectiveness of social safety nets.

The Ministry of Social Development is implementing several initiatives to advance the digital transformation of the social protection sector, thereby strengthening the institutional capacity to deliver on these goals.

3.0 The National Digital System for Monitoring and Assessment

A central focus of the ministry’s efforts is the development of a national digital system to monitor and assess the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033). This system is designed to institutionalize progress tracking towards sustainable development.

3.1 System Objectives for SDG Attainment

1. Unified Monitoring: To create standardized monitoring tools linked directly to national performance indicators, allowing for precise tracking of progress against targets related to SDG 1 and SDG 10.
2. Impact Assessment: To scientifically assess the social impact of programs and initiatives, ensuring they effectively reduce poverty and inequality.
3. Data-Driven Policy: To guide public policies with reliable data, reinforcing the principles of SDG 16 for effective and accountable governance.

4.0 Regional Cooperation and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The workshop serves as a significant milestone for strengthening regional cooperation, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It provides a platform for Arab states to collaborate on developing robust frameworks for social protection systems.

4.1 Key Outcomes of the Partnership

• Exchange of expertise and best practices among member states.
• Enhanced coordination in developing monitoring, follow-up, and assessment frameworks.
• Reinforcement of joint Arab action, supported by the Arab League, to collectively advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on social protection systems, digital transformation for governance, and regional cooperation links the discussion to the following SDGs:

   • SDG 1: No Poverty: The core theme of the article is the development of systems to monitor and assess social protection strategies, which are fundamental tools for poverty reduction and supporting vulnerable populations.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Social protection systems are a key policy tool for reducing inequality by providing a safety net for the most vulnerable and ensuring a basic standard of living.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article emphasizes the digital transformation of the public sector to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability. This directly relates to building effective and accountable institutions.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The workshop is described as a collaborative effort between Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development, the Arab League, and other Arab countries, showcasing a partnership to share knowledge and expertise.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. The article directly addresses this by discussing the development of a “national digital system to monitor and assess the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033).” This system is designed to track the progress and impact of social protection programs.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article quotes the minister highlighting the goal of digital transformation as being “to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability.” The creation of a data-driven system for decision-making is a clear step towards building more effective and transparent governmental institutions.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources… The workshop itself, organized in partnership with the Arab League and involving “broad participation” from several Arab countries, is a direct example of this target in action. The article states it provides an “opportunity to exchange expertise and enhance coordination among member states.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   While the article does not mention official SDG indicator codes, it implies the use of metrics and systems that align with them:

   • For Target 1.3 (Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems): The article implies the measurement of this indicator through the creation of a “national digital system to monitor and assess” the social protection strategy. This system is designed to “unify monitoring tools and link them to national performance indicators to ‘accurately’ track progress” and assess the “social impact of programs and initiatives,” which would necessarily involve tracking coverage and effectiveness.
   • For Target 16.6 (Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services): The article’s emphasis on using a “comprehensive’ digital transformation approach” to “enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability” in the public sector implies a goal of improving public services. The development of “scientific tools for data-driven and knowledge-based decision-making” is a mechanism to improve service delivery, the quality of which could be measured by population satisfaction.
   • For Target 17.16 (Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks): The workshop is presented as a “key’ milestone in joint Arab cooperation” and a platform to “exchange expertise and enhance coordination among member states in developing monitoring, follow-up, and assessment frameworks for social protection systems.” This collaborative event itself is an indicator of progress in regional, multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at building capacity and sharing knowledge.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (as implied in the article)
   SDG 1: No Poverty	Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.	The development of a “national digital system to monitor and assess the National Social Protection Strategy” which uses “national performance indicators to accurately track progress” and assess social impact.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.	The implementation of a “comprehensive’ digital transformation approach” to enhance public sector transparency, efficiency, and accountability through data-driven decision-making.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development… complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise…	The organization of a workshop in partnership with the Arab League and representatives from several Arab countries to “exchange expertise and enhance coordination” on social protection monitoring systems.

Source: en.ammonnews.net