UN youth envoy due in Jordan Saturday for four-day visit

AMMAN — The United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake is due in Jordan on a four-day visit from Saturday to Tuesday as part of a regional tour that will subsequently take her to Palestine, a statement from the global body’s information centre said on Thursday.

During her stay, Wickramanayake is scheduled to meet with HRH Crown Prince Hussein and Minister of Youth Mohammad Abu Rumman, as well as a number of parliamentarians, the United Nations’ Information Centre said in its statement.

Wickramanayake will also meet with youth representatives from civil society, visit youth-led social businesses and enterprises, and engage with organisations working with women and innovation and technology. As part of the visit she will tour Zaatari refugee camp, some 90km northeast of Amman, to experience first-hand the youth services provided and interact with young refugees, according to the statement.

Historically, Jordan has supported the youth envoy’s position and mandate since her predecessor, Ahmad Alhendawi, took office in 2013.

Wickramanayake — envoy on youth since June 2017 — is passionate about the area of Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), having noted that Jordan pioneered the YPS Agenda during its term at the Security Council and was instrumental in bringing to life the first Security Council Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security (UNSCR 2250) in 2015, recognising the Kingdom’s efforts under the National YPS 2250 Coalition launched in late 2017, read the statement.