Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Launches the Fourth Edition of the Youth Organizations Forum and Honors Outstanding Contributors to Youth Empowerment

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, inaugurated the fourth edition of the “Youth Organizations Forum” under the theme “Youth Ecosystem: Joint Efforts Toward the Future.” The event also featured the honoring of the winners of the youth organizations, in the presence of a wide array of officials, leaders, and experts in the field of youth empowerment.

In his speech during the inauguration ceremony, His Excellency Al-Rajhi emphasized the importance of adopting an integrated and holistic approach to working with youth, based on the principle of positive youth development. He highlighted that achieving this vision requires effective cooperation and coordination among all entities comprising the youth system, including government institutions, non-profit organizations, community initiatives, and the private sector. His Excellency noted that such partnerships are fundamental to supporting youth and enhancing their role in national development, stressing that collaborative efforts by all parties can contribute to shaping a bright future for Saudi Arabia's youth.

Discussing the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's efforts to support youth, His Excellency pointed out that the ministry has implemented various programs and initiatives aimed at empowering youth and increasing their participation across different fields. Among these efforts was the launch of the Youth Development Strategy, titled "Our Youth are Wealth," which seeks to meet the aspirations of Saudi youth and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing their contributions to economic and social development.

His Excellency further explained that this strategy has yielded significant results, including an increase in volunteer hours by youth associations, reaching 694,000 hours in 2024 compared to 594,000 hours in 2023. Additionally, the past period witnessed the establishment of the first sub-fund to support youth associations, in partnership with the Association Support Fund, aimed at promoting the sustainability of youth work and empowering organizations operating in this field. The private sector also played a key role, as the forum showcased its contributions to funding youth projects, with a total of 20 projects funded in 2024 amounting to over SAR 14 million, compared to SAR 2.46 million in 2023—reflecting a substantial increase in support for youth initiatives.

Furthermore, His Excellency announced that the ministry is set to launch a Professional Certification in Youth Work, in collaboration with the Association Support Fund, to enhance professionalism in the field and improve the efficiency of youth organizations.

The forum also featured the launch of the Youth Platform and the forum's strategy, along with several strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders in the youth sector. A visual presentation outlined the new strategy and the forum's future role in supporting and empowering youth. The event included multiple panel discussions and workshops addressing the key challenges faced by those youth organizations, showcasing best practices and successful experiences in the field. On the sidelines of the forum, an accompanying exhibition featured more than 40 specialized associations focused on youth empowerment, where they presented their achievements and initiatives in supporting and developing youth skills.

At the conclusion of the Youth Organizations Forum inauguration ceremony, His Excellency Al-Rajhi honored the award winners, expressing his gratitude for the outstanding contributions of all entities and individuals who have significantly contributed to youth support and development. He reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaborative efforts to enhance youth work and achieve the event’s objectives—a national platform that unites diverse stakeholders in addressing youth issues.