On 1 June, the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) and the Forum of Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAPPD), in collaboration with the Jordanian National Parliamentary Committees, organized a parliamentary meeting under the theme “Investing in Youth and Gender Equality” in Amman, Jordan. Amid the rapid social and political transformations facing countries in the Middle East and North Africa, there is an urgent need to reposition national development priorities to fundamentally include investment in youth and the promotion of gender equality. These two pillars are essential for achieving societal stability and inclusive growth, and they hold particular significance in Arab societies characterized by large youth populations and increasing challenges related to poverty, unemployment, and social vulnerability.

The meeting served as a strategic multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together parliamentarians from committees specializing in population and development, youth, women, human rights, and children, alongside experts and civil society representatives. It provided an opportunity to review relevant policies and legislation related to youth and women’s empowerment and highlight best practices that can be locally adapted. The meeting also aimed to build national consensus on more effective mechanisms for integrating youth rights and gender perspectives into legislative and parliamentary oversight processes. Participants emphasized the importance of aligning national policies with international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) —particularly Goal 5 (gender equality), Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth), and Goal 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).

This initiative was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Japan Trust Fund (JTF) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).