The initiative aims to promote the integration of sport and physical activity into urban planning processes as a means to improve quality of life, enhance social inclusion and support healthier and more resilient communities, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable groups.

The United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has launched the “Sport for Sustainable Urban Development” initiative in Jordan, with Ghor Safi selected as a pilot area under the program.

The initiative was launched during the first meeting of its Steering Committee, held on December 21, 2025, in Amman, marking the start of program implementation in the Kingdom. The program is part of a global initiative jointly implemented by UN-Habitat and the IOC in five countries, with Jordan among the first countries to adopt the initiative, according to a statement by UN-Habitat.

Under the national rollout, Ghor Safi will serve as a pilot area for integrating sport, physical activity and active recreation into sustainable urban development at the local level. In Jordan, the program is being implemented in partnership with the Southern Jordan Valley Municipality and the Zaha Cultural Center, in collaboration with the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC).

The meeting brought together representatives from national institutions and partner organizations to review the program’s objectives, agree on coordination mechanisms and discuss next steps for implementation, in line with national development priorities, the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative aims to promote the integration of sport and physical activity into urban planning processes as a means to improve quality of life, enhance social inclusion and support healthier and more resilient communities, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable groups.

Eng. Deema Abu Thiab, Head of UN-Habitat in Jordan, said that integrating sport into data-driven urban planning helps strengthen the capacity of local authorities to deliver inclusive and sustainable services.

For her part, the Secretary General of the JOC, Rana Al-Saeed, stated that: “At the JOC, we believe that sport plays a pivotal role beyond competition, encompassing community empowerment and the promotion of social inclusion, health and well-being. This program embodies a shared vision with UN-Habitat to integrate sport into urban planning, ensuring equitable access to sporting opportunities for all segments of society.”

Meanwhile, Eng. Abdul Hamid Al-Maaytah, Head of the Southern Jordan Valley Municipality, said the program would support local development efforts and contribute to strengthening social cohesion at the community level.

Rania Subeih, Chief Executive Officer of the Zaha Cultural Center, said the Center plays a key role in delivering inclusive and safe programs in Ghor Safi, noting that more than 60,000 people benefited from its services in 2025, including youth, adolescents and persons with disabilities.

The meeting concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to continued coordination through the Steering Committee to ensure effective program implementation and support sustainable urban development in Jordan.

This content is republished from the original press release, available here.