Sultan Al Qasimi receives a certificate of renewal of Sharjah’s recognition as a “Child Friendly City” from UNICEF

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, received, on Tuesday morning, a certificate of renewal of recognition of Sharjah as a child-friendly city, from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
This came while His Highness received the Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Lana Al-Wreikat, at Dr. Sultan Al-Qasimi’s home in the university city.
At the beginning of the meeting, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the delegation, pointing out that the Emirate of Sharjah has been working for many decades within its various programs in various fields and directions, according to systematic, scientific and practical plans to support the family and care for the child and mother, in the belief that building society begins with raising the child in a correct manner and raising him in a good upbringing.
His Highness praised the cooperation with international institutions working in the fields of children and families, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which contributes to developing the capabilities of the Emirate of Sharjah, and pushing its programs to be at the highest levels and international specifications, in order to achieve all the goals set for children and families, praising the efforts made by all agencies and institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah to maintain the achievements related to children and families.
The meeting discussed a number of diverse topics related to the projects and programs that the Emirate of Sharjah is working on in the areas of childhood, and its keenness to adopt the finest child-friendly practices and commitment to the sustainability of international standards.
The meeting reviewed UNICEF’s plans and programs and its international efforts, and the importance of communication and cooperation between institutions specialized in the field of childhood, which contributes to improving and developing their programs.
For her part, Al-Wreikat congratulated His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah on renewing the certificate of recognition of Sharjah as a child-friendly city, which embodies a firm and sustainable institutional commitment from the Emirate of Sharjah to make children’s rights and well-being a primary focus in development policies and plans, based on continuing to invest in children, enhancing their role as active partners in society, and responding to their changing needs in light of a rapidly transforming world.
She pointed out that Sharjah has succeeded in translating this commitment into practical reality, by involving children and adolescents in community initiatives and local dialogues, which contributes to the development of policies and programs that are more relevant to their reality and more capable of meeting their aspirations, pointing out that UNICEF is proud of its partnership with Sharjah, and is always looking forward to building on this progress and cooperation to promote an inspiring model at the regional and global levels, which enables every child to achieve his full potential and contribute to building his society.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Al-Warikat extended her thanks and gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for the generous reception, praising the vision and continuous efforts of His Highness in supporting childhood programs in all its specializations, such as education, caring for the mother and family, and various activities.
The completion of the renewal of Sharjah’s certificate of recognition as a “Child-Friendly City” by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) comes as a continuation of the Emirate of Sharjah’s obtaining the title of “Child- and Family-Friendly Emirate” in November 2025, which is an entitlement that embodies the depth of the societal and institutional commitment of the Emirate of Sharjah to providing a nurturing environment for every member of the family. This celebration coincides with the Year of the Family 2026, confirming Sharjah’s leadership as an ideal global destination that harnesses all its capabilities to enhance awareness of family policies and specific initiatives that guarantee the child and family a bright and sustainable future within an integrated care system.
The meeting was attended, in addition to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, by the President of the Sharjah Health Authority, the President of the Sharjah Health Care City, Dr. Abdul Aziz Saeed Al Muhairi, the Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department, Muhammad Obaid Al Zaabi, the Head of the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Home, Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al Marri, the Director of the Sharjah Health Authority, Amal Ahmed Al Qatari, and a number of senior officials.