The Family Affairs Council in Saudi Arabia and the General Women’s Union in the UAE are hosting their first-ever virtual forum, “Safe Families, Secure Societies.” The forum aims to strengthen family-focused efforts in both countries by sharing ideas, exchanging experiences, and showcasing best practices for fostering family stability. This collaboration is organized with support from the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council.
Taking place over two days, the forum will explore solutions and success stories in family counseling, highlight positive practices, and pave the way for joint training programs. It’s also designed to promote stronger social bonds and encourage shared efforts to support families. The forum includes four interactive sessions. The first, “My Family, My Happiness,” will discuss ways to create balance and harmony in marital relationships. The second session, “Family Culture and Driving Change,” will focus on making thoughtful decisions to adapt to challenges within family dynamics. This initiative showcases the shared commitment of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to supporting families and strengthening the foundation of their societies.
The second day of the virtual forum, “Safe Families, Secure Societies,” will feature two key discussions. The first session, “Positivity in Preventing Crises and Solving Problems,” will explore the importance of understanding rights and responsibilities and developing strategies to avert crises. The second session, “Family and Community Bonds,” will emphasize the role of stable social and familial relationships, mutual respect, and fostering a sense of security and confidence within extended families.
The forum will open with remarks from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood in the UAE, followed by Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri, Secretary-General of the Family Affairs Council in Saudi Arabia. In her speech, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak highlighted the exemplary model set by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in fostering social cohesion within Arab families. She praised the visionary leadership of both nations, which has enabled forward-looking initiatives that advance family stability and societal well-being. She stated, “Today, as always, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting women and children and collaborating with Saudi Arabia to develop proactive, long-term plans. Together, we will create initiatives, exchange expertise, and overcome challenges to ensure a secure and dignified life for our communities.” She stated, “We have directed the General Women’s Union to develop strategies and mechanisms in collaboration with all relevant local, regional, and international entities to ensure the continued excellence and distinction in achieving sustainable social development that guarantees family protection, in line with international commitments.” Her Highness added, “With great pride, love, and appreciation, I take this honorable occasion to express our deep pride in the enduring, historic, and fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I also commend the remarkable efforts of the General Women’s Union, the Saudi Family Affairs Council, and the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council for the exceptional coordination witnessed with the launch of the first virtual forum.”
Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri, Secretary-General of the Saudi Family Affairs Council, highlighted the importance of the virtual forum as a platform to strengthen social cohesion and empower families in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. She noted that the event facilitates the exchange of expertise and best practices for family stability while expressing gratitude to Saudi leadership for its continuous support of family initiatives. She also commended the UAE’s General Women’s Union for its role in hosting this significant event. Dr. Al-Tuwaijri emphasized the shared goals of the Saudi Family Affairs Council and the UAE’s General Women’s Union, underscoring their commitment to advancing family-focused initiatives in both countries. She explained that the council aims to drive transformative social and developmental progress in Saudi Arabia through institutional efforts that empower and support all segments of society. These efforts, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aim to build a stable and thriving community. Dr. Al-Tuwaijri also pointed out the Council’s multi-faceted approach to addressing family challenges, raising awareness about the critical role families play in societal development, and fostering partnerships with public and private sectors to achieve its strategic objectives.
H.E. Noura Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE’s General Women’s Union, reiterated the importance of family stability as the foundation of national development. She emphasized the collective responsibility of citizens, residents, government bodies, and civil society organizations in nurturing a generation that is aware, ambitious, and capable of elevating family and societal standards. Al-Suwaidi highlighted the General Women’s Union’s long-standing efforts to enhance family life quality and ensure a secure and dignified existence for all families. Amjad Al-Mosallam, General Manager of Coordination Councils at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning and representative of Saudi Arabia in the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, praised the forum as a key step in promoting social cohesion and family unity. She highlighted that the human and social development pillar of the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council aligns closely with the forum’s objectives. Al-Mosallam noted that such initiatives significantly contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals and commended the efforts of the Saudi Family Affairs Council and the UAE’s General Women’s Union in advancing family and women-focused initiatives. The forum reflects the strong collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in addressing shared challenges and fostering progress in family development and empowerment.
