Riyadh: The Family Affairs Council organized a consultative meeting in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to develop the organization's sub-regional cooperation program document for the period 2026-2030, engaging over 20 relevant national entities.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the meeting featured a review of national priorities and initiatives in the field of childhood, an overview of the current developmental context, and discussions on the development mechanism for the joint cooperation program. Preliminary outlines were also presented for proposed focus areas for the coming years.
In her opening remarks, Family Affairs Council Secretary-General Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil emphasized that the meeting aims to unify the visions and plans of relevant stakeholders in order to shape UNICEF's regional program document in a way that aligns with the Kingdom's needs and priorities. She added that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to identify the most pressing issues requiring special attention in the coming years.
From his side, the UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edward Beigbeder, affirmed that Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 represents an ambitious model that places children at the heart of its priorities. He pointed to the organization's pride in its partnership with the Kingdom and its leading humanitarian role in supporting the most vulnerable children and their families around the world.
This meeting comes as part of the Council's broader international efforts to strengthen cooperation with organizations concerned with family members, in alignment with the directions of Saudi Vision 2030 and as a reflection of the Kingdom's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).