UAE Minister Noura Al Kaabi Urges Global Leaders at Paris Peace Forum to Prioritize Children's Well-being

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, spearheaded the UAE delegation at the Paris Peace Forum, issuing a strong call to world leaders to embed children's well-being into the core of development policies. Acting on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed, Ms Al Kaabi addressed a ministerial round-table titled “Children First: Making the Case for Investing in Children.” She reiterated the UAE's steadfast commitment to enhancing child welfare through a comprehensive strategy that integrates health, education, protection, and family support.

Ms Al Kaabi drew attention to the UAE's upcoming Year of the Family 2026 and its proactive measures to bolster child protection within the digital sphere. These efforts align with international initiatives focused on broadening access to education and healthcare for vulnerable children, as reported by the state news agency Wam on Thursday. The minister also voiced the UAE's endorsement of the Children First Declaration, underscoring the critical need to translate international pledges into tangible actions via enduring partnerships and unified policies.

“Childhood happens only once,” Ms Al Kaabi stated. “Health, learning, safety and emotional well-being are not separate needs, they are interconnected foundations. Our policies must be interconnected, too.”

Furthermore, the minister detailed the UAE's contributions to the preservation of global heritage. This included its support for the restoration of historical sites in Mosul, Iraq. She emphasized the importance of strengthening international collaborations and harnessing innovation to confront the evolving challenges facing cultural heritage.