The 7th UNESCO NGO Forum being organized by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Charity Foundation "Misk" was launched here today in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to host non-governmental organizations (NGO) forum with the participation of more than 1800 people from 70 countries, including a number of ministers and officials interested in youths issues. In a key address at the opening session, the Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis cast light on MISK Foundation's roles in the Kingdom and its contribution in organizing this two-day event through its inspiring vision in developing opportunities for the development of the Saudi society to empower young people who form the largest segment of the Saudi society. He said Misk has succeeded in its goals to make them active elements in the economy of this country. He said the forum focuses on the youths segment, citing the participation of more than 350 organizations from more than 70 countries and its being held as the Kingdom is witnessing a national transformation 2020 program that targets promoting the non-profit sector as part of the country's vision 2030. Casting light on his ministry's role in this respect, Al-Ghafis said that strenuous work during only one year resulted in a 20% growth rate of non-profit sector in the Kingdom, a sizable increase in the number of volunteers and workers in the non-profit sector organizations in addition to skills building programs which attracted 12% of the personnel in the sector in different jobs as well as national associations and institutions governance. For her part, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova thanked, in a video message to the Forum, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the forum, indicating that it is the first Arab country to hold this event for Non-governmental organizations in partnership with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation "Misk", adding that the Forum reflects the depth of the partnership between the Kingdom and UNESCO and builds on shared aspirations and objectives in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for sustainable development. For his part, the UNESCO assistant director general for foreign relations Erick Valt lauded the qualitative efforts being exerted by Misk for the youths, citing the distinguished ties binding the UNESCO and Saudi Arabia, particularly that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was among the first 20 countries who endorsed the UNESCO constitution in 1946. Then a session titled "general perspective on the activation of the youths participation and the foreseen impact of this on the social change process" was held. Speaking at the meeting, UAE minister of state for federal national council affairs Noorah Al-Kaabi highlighted a future vision based on the role of youths, and the importance of providing more opportunities for them to exchange experiences. In this regard, she praised the efforts being exerted by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, in supporting the activities of talented youths, enhancing of their abilities and giving them chances to exchange experience with their counterparts all over the world. She called for more interest and protection of the youths from joining extremist and violent organizations who might lure the unemployed, noting that 24% of the Arab youths are busy looking for jobs and how to contribute to building their societies. She drew the attention to the fact that the youths do have access to the world media through advanced modern technological means.
