Second Voluntary Local Review: City of Amman

The Second Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the City of Amman reflects the Greater Amman Municipality’s sustained commitment to transparent governance, inclusive development, and the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building on the first VLR published in 2022, which made Amman the first Arab city to undertake such a process, this second review confirms that SDG localization in Amman is not a one-time exercise, but an institutionalized approach rooted in evidence-based planning, participatory governance, and long-term urban transformation. Prepared by the Greater Amman Municipality in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the review was developed through an extensive participatory process involving municipal departments, national ministries, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and United Nations partners. The VLR is closely aligned with Jordan’s 2026 Voluntary National Review led by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the Economic Modernization Vision 2023–2033, Jordan’s National Urban Policy, and the broader national SDG governance framework. Positioned at a critical mid-decade moment with fewer than five years remaining until 2030, the VLR provides a comprehensive assessment of progress since 2022 while identifying areas requiring accelerated action. The review focuses on eight priority SDGs selected based on continuity with the first VLR, alignment with national priorities, stakeholder relevance, data availability, and their systemic importance for urban transformation. These include SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and SDG 13: Climate Action. A defining feature of this second VLR is the application of two integrated cross-cutting lenses: resilience and smartness. The review evaluates not only sectoral progress, but also Amman’s capacity to anticipate and absorb shocks, strengthen adaptive governance, deliver services inclusively, and leverage data, digital transformation, and innovation to improve quality of life. The report highlights major institutional and urban development achievements, including the endorsement of Jordan’s first urban planning bylaw in 2024, the operationalization of the Bus Rapid Transit system, advancements in climate action and digital governance, strengthened urban data systems, and the integration of sustainability, resilience, and smart city principles into municipal planning processes. It also reflects Amman’s leadership role in advancing multilevel governance and strengthening coherence between local and national development agendas.