Dr. Muhannad Al-Azzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), met today at the Council’s headquarters with Dr. Mazen Abu Al-Baqar, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth. The meeting aimed to explore prospects for joint cooperation to enhance the accessibility of young men and women with disabilities to youth centers, cities, and camps across the Kingdom’s three regions.
During the meeting, Al-Azzeh emphasized the importance of empowering youth with disabilities and fostering their active participation in national and youth-oriented work. He noted that investing in their potential is a fundamental pillar for achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. He also stressed the necessity of retrofitting youth facilities to ensure ease of access and use in accordance with Universal Design standards.
Al-Azzeh expressed the Council's readiness to provide various forms of support to assist in making youth centers and facilities accessible. This includes building the capacity of staff to ensure effective communication with persons with disabilities, thereby guaranteeing a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment for their participation in various activities and programs.
Furthermore, Al-Azzeh reviewed the Council’s role in drafting and reviewing national policies to ensure they are inclusive of persons with disabilities. This involves amending national legislation to align with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), monitoring the commitment of national institutions to the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and providing technical support to partner agencies to create pioneering models that can be scaled by national institutions and civil society organizations.
For his part, Dr. Mazen Abu Al-Baqar stated that the Ministry takes pride in its partnership with the HCD. He affirmed that this collaboration reflects the commitment of both institutions to empowering youth with disabilities and integrating them into youth programs and policies, in line with national legislation and relevant international conventions.
Abu Al-Baqar emphasized the Ministry's keenness to activate the role of youth centers through a comprehensive executive plan. This plan aims to modernize programs and activities, empower youth workers, and develop facility infrastructure to enhance the participation of all youth—including those with disabilities—across various fields.
He also touched upon the importance of cooperation in implementing the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security. He highlighted the pillars related to UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which serves as a comprehensive national framework to unify efforts, empower youth, and engage them in development and decision-making processes. This is achieved through clear executive programs and continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, implemented in cooperation with various stakeholders to enhance youth engagement in decision-making.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to maintain ongoing coordination and establish practical mechanisms for cooperation. These efforts aim to promote inclusion, equality, and equal opportunity, ensuring the active and sustainable participation of persons with disabilities in youth work across the Kingdom.