"Municipality and Housing": Memorandum of Understanding between "Al-Ahsa Municipality" and "UNICEF" to join "Child Friendly Cities"

Monday 08 June 2026
"البلدية والإسكان": مذكرة تفاهم بين "أمانة الأحساء" و"اليونيسيف" للانضمام لـ "المدن صديقة الطفل"

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced that the Al-Ahsa Municipality signed a memorandum of understanding with the UNICEF office for the Arab Gulf States, which is affiliated with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), paving the way for Al-Ahsa to join the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative.

The Ministry explained in a press statement that the signing of the agreement between the Al-Ahsa Governorate Secretariat and UNICEF comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts of the General Directorate of Institutional Partnerships and International Cooperation to support and empower national bodies, agencies and organizations working in this field, to prepare Saudi cities and make them child-friendly, which will positively impact the improvement of the urban landscape by building safer and more sustainable cities, thus contributing to building a society whose members enjoy a decent life and a healthy lifestyle, and an environment that provides a positive and attractive environment.

His Excellency the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, witnessed the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Al-Ahsa Governorate Secretariat, represented by its Secretary, Engineer Essam bin Abdul Latif Al-Mulla, and the UNICEF office for the Arab Gulf States, to frame joint work with the aim of Al-Ahsa joining the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, within a work plan targeting all cities of the Kingdom, in cooperation with relevant authorities.

The memorandum of understanding sets out a joint program of several stages, beginning with an in-depth analysis of the situation of children’s rights in Al-Ahsa, in order to draw up and implement an action plan towards crowning Al-Ahsa as a “child-friendly city” after meeting specific criteria and objectives.

The signing of the memorandum of cooperation between the Al-Ahsa Municipality and the UNICEF office for the Gulf States comes as an extension of strengthening the bridges of cooperation and integration between the Ministry and the office in the social, humanitarian and developmental aspect; contributing to community service and participation in the UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, according to several clauses, including developing a joint action plan to make Al-Ahsa the first Saudi city to become a “child-friendly city”, coordinating the implementation of the plan within a specific time period, close cooperation with local authorities responsible and concerned with children’s affairs, and providing training and technical support to local authorities concerned with children.

The Child-Friendly Cities Initiative contributes to developing targeted programs to ensure children’s rights by creating spaces within urban areas where children can access basic services in a healthy and safe environment, and feel secure to play, learn and grow, as well as expanding children’s participation in managing their cities by listening to their views and responding to their needs when setting national budgets and plans.

 

Comments and suggestions

For any inquiries or comments about government services, please fill out the required information.

Last Updated:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia