UNICEF Gulf

The suffering of Palestinian families in Gaza is not defined by statistics; it’s lived through every disrupted childhood, every lost livelihood, and every attempt to rebuild with dignity. During the #SocialSummit2025 side event “Multidimensional Impacts on Social Development and the Social Fabric: Innovative Solutions for Social Protection, Inclusion & Justice – The Suffering of Palestinian Families Under Occupation,” UNICEF Gulf Area Director, Lana Khalil Al-Wreikat joined partners from the UNDP and Ministries of Social Development from State of Palestine, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt as well as the EU to call for justice-based, shock-responsive social protection systems that restore dignity, resilience, and hope for families affected by war and occupation. She emphasized the urgent need to rebuild livelihoods, support psychosocial recovery, and strengthen community cohesion, placing justice and inclusion at the heart of social development.

As climate challenges intensify, education stands out as one of the most powerful tools to protect our planet and our future. During the #SocialSummit2025 side event “Learning for Climate Resilience: Integrated Pathways for Poverty Eradication, Jobs & Inclusion,” UNICEF Gulf Area Director Lana Khalil Al-Wreikat joined partners from Education Above All, UNDP, and youth leaders to spotlight how inclusive education can unlock opportunity, create green jobs, and build more resilient communities. The lesson from the Gulf is powerful: when national visions combine education, empowerment, and participation, children and youth become co-authors of climate resilience, not just its beneficiaries. 🇶🇦 Qatar – AI for Child Well-being and youth-led climate innovation 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – Embedding digital learning, innovation & green skills across the education system 🇦🇪 UAE – Providing climate education to all school children 🇰🇼 Kuwait – Prioritizing inclusive, shock-responsive systems for children & families 🇧🇭 Bahrain – Empowering young people through STEM education Across the GCC, the green transition is proving to be not only technological — but generational. UNICEF is proud to work with partners across the region to equip children and young people with the digital, green, and entrepreneurial skills they need to shape a sustainable future.

At the #SocialSummit2025 in Doha, Lana Al Wreikat, UNICEF Director for the Gulf Area, joined India’s side event “Pathways Out of Poverty: India’s Experience in Empowering the Last Mile.” Lana emphasized the importance of advancing pathways out of poverty — a cause that lies at the very heart of UNICEF’s mission: to ensure that every child, everywhere, survives, learns, and fulfills their potential. She underlined that eradicating child poverty is not just a social or economic imperative; it is the foundation of peaceful, resilient, and inclusive societies. UNICEF continues to call for stronger global investment in care systems that uplift children, women, and communities. #ForEveryChild

From internet safety to digital parenting and child protection; here are key moments from UNICEF at the Global Cybersecurity Forum. #GCF2025 Lana Khalil Al-Wreikat

During the Global Cybersecurity Forum, UNICEF’s Afrooz K., Helen Mason, and Michael Marwa joined an open forum on the future of child helplines. Child helplines are trusted, confidential services that provide children with a safe space to seek help, share concerns, and access support. But in today’s digital world, where risks like cyberbullying, grooming, and harmful content are growing, helplines must evolve. Child helplines are uniquely positioned to meet children where they are, and adapting them for the digital age is vital to ensuring no child is left without protection.

As children live, learn, and play more of their lives online, the need to scale both protection and inclusion has never been greater. At the Global Cybersecurity Forum, UNICEF’s Director of Child Protection Sheema Sen Gupta, H.E. Sofiane Hemissi (Minister of Communication Technologies), Dr. Maimoonah Al Khalil (Secretary General, مجلس شؤون الأسرة), and Iain Drennan (Executive Director, WeProtect Global Alliance) came together for an open forum on how to ensure every child can thrive safely in the digital age. The conversation highlighted the urgent need for stronger partnerships, innovation, and shared responsibility to make digital spaces inclusive and protective for all children.

Parents everywhere are worried about the risks their children face online, and they are asking for effective tools to help keep them safe. At the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, UNICEF led the CyberSafe Futures session, guided by Afrooz K., to explore how parenting programmes can adapt to today’s digital challenges.   The discussion highlighted two essentials for protecting children online: 1- Parents and caregivers – strengthening support at home through evidence-based parenting programmes. 2- Child helplines – ensuring every child has access to safe, trusted services when they need help.   The session shared evidence and innovations that can make a real difference in children’s digital lives.

At the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, UNICEF and the Forum co-hosted the Gaming with Safety roundtable, led by Sheema Sen Gupta, on how gaming platforms can become safer environments for children everywhere. Discussions centered on three key areas: - Using gaming to promote children’s safety and well-being. - Embedding child rights and safety into design from the start. - Ensuring children and young people’s voices are part of building safer digital worlds.   Online games have the power to connect, inspire, and educate. But they also carry risks that demand collective action. By working alongside governments, industry leaders, academics, and civil society, we are striving to ensure play also means protection.

At the #UNGA80 high-level event "A Global Call to Invest in the Early Years", H.E. Rym Al Falasi, Secretary General of Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood, highlighted the UAE’s commitment to children, noting: "Every dirham invested in a child’s early years yields lasting returns. By investing early, we safeguard the future of our nation.” #ForEveryChild

Today at the #SocialCareForum in Abu Dhabi, UNICEF joined experts and changemakers to explore how social care systems can shift from reactive approaches to proactive, lifelong support. UNICEF Gulf Deputy Representative, Jumana Haj-Ahmad, highlighted why investing in children and adolescents is not only a moral imperative but also the smartest economic strategy: “Early childhood and adolescence are two decisive windows of opportunity. The care, protection, and learning opportunities we provide in these stages shape not just children’s health and education, but their lifelong resilience and contribution to society. Investing in children is investing in stronger, more cohesive communities.” – Jumana Haj-Ahmad. From early childhood programmes to adolescent mental health and anti-bullying initiatives, UNICEF works alongside partners in the UAE to build future-ready social care systems that prioritize prevention and inclusion. #ForEveryChild