Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi said that the ministry has finished formulating Saudi Arabia’s Youth Development Strategy. “I look forward to announcing it in its final form during the current year,” he said while inaugurating the third Youth Organizations Forum in Riyadh on Saturday.

Al-Rajhi highlighted the Saudi leadership’s efforts to empower young people, build their capabilities and invest their energies to develop society. “The leadership supports youth as a real wealth upon which the country depends for its present and future,” he said.

He emphasized that the ministry is working on many programs targeting young people at the level of training, rehabilitation, employment, and empowerment. “The forum targets eight groups working with young people in the governmental, private, and non-profit sectors, and coordinating efforts with 66 associations specialized in youth issues and topics, in addition to expanding partnerships, signing agreements, and taking up specific initiatives that contribute to achieving sustainability,” the minister added.

The forum, titled “Empowering youth organizations to promote innovation and policy development,” honored winners of the first edition of the Youth Organizations Award, which was dedicated to the track of non-profit entities concerned with youth, and it has been decided that in the coming sessions, the award will be presented in other areas also. As many as 29 youth organizations are taking part in an exhibition being held on the sidelines of the forum.