Kuwait Joins Arab Social Affairs Ministers to Advance Disability, Elderly and Child Welfare

According to KUNA, the 84th session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs opened on Tuesday with Kuwait’s participation, focusing on social development priorities and stronger protection for people with disabilities, the elderly and children.

Opening and Participation

The meeting is chaired by Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsi, while Kuwait is represented by its Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah. Ministers and heads of delegations from Palestine, Qatar, Comoros, Lebanon, Libya and Kuwait are also attending the proceedings.

Policy Discussions and Initiatives

Delegates are reviewing several initiatives aimed at shaping Arab social policies, including the Arab classification of persons with disabilities and the Arab Social Responsibility Index. They are also discussing the implementation of the social dimensions of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, with particular emphasis on eradicating multidimensional poverty and deepening cooperation with relevant Arab and United Nations agencies.

The session addresses the implementation of the Amman-Berlin Declaration issued by the Global Disability Summit and the Amman Statement concerning the political declaration of the Second World Summit for Social Development, which was held in Doha in 2025. A proposal to establish an Arab Drug Observatory as part of the regional plan to prevent and reduce drug‑related risks from a social perspective is also on the table.

Ministers are examining ways to promote recovery and social reintegration, lower demand for drugs and strengthen Arab cooperation in tackling the impact of climate change on vulnerable social groups. In addition, they are discussing employment governance to raise living standards and the use of digital inclusion, technology and innovation to design social policies and improve services for citizens.

Family, Childhood and Regional Focus

Discussions cover family and childhood matters such as the 2030 Development Agenda for Investment in Children, the development of professional skills among early childhood workers, strengthening family empowerment and supporting the role of families and caregivers of persons with disabilities.

The ministers are also reviewing efforts to support the Palestinian people and to address the social consequences of recent developments in Lebanon, alongside initiatives to back social development projects across Arab countries and the work of the Arab Center for Social Development Studies.

Conclusion and Future Session

The Executive Bureau is expected to conclude its meeting by approving the draft agenda for the 46th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, which is scheduled to take place in Egypt.