Jeddah, October 27, 2024 — Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji, met with Ted Chaiban, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, on Saturday. The discussion, held on the sidelines of the Donors' Conference to Support Internally Displaced People and Refugees in the Sahel and Lake Chad Region in Jeddah, highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration between Saudi Arabia and UNICEF in supporting global humanitarian initiatives.
During the meeting, both parties explored ways to enhance Saudi-UNICEF cooperation, particularly in efforts aimed at achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review focused on UNICEF’s ongoing work in critical areas such as child welfare, education, and health services for vulnerable populations worldwide. Both El-Khereiji and Chaiban emphasized the importance of advancing initiatives that align with the SDGs, including goals related to reducing poverty, ensuring quality education, and promoting health and well-being for children and families.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Saleh Al-Suhaibani, and Fareed Al-Shehri, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs branch in the Makkah Region. Their presence underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing humanitarian diplomacy and fostering partnerships with international organizations like UNICEF to address global humanitarian challenges.
This gathering in Jeddah highlights Saudi Arabia’s active role in regional and international forums focused on humanitarian aid and sustainable development. Through such partnerships, Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen efforts that provide vital resources and support to those affected by crises, particularly within vulnerable communities in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.