The 7th UNESCO NGO Forum being organized by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Charity Foundation "Misk" was launched here today in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to host non-governmental organizations (NGO) forum with the participation of more than 1800 people from 70 countries, including a number of ministers and officials interested in youths issues. In a key address at the opening session, the Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis cast light on MISK Foundation's roles in the Kingdom and its contribution in organizing this two-day event through its inspiring vision in developing opportunities for the development of the Saudi society to empower young people who form the largest segment of the Saudi society. He said Misk has succeeded in its goals to make them active elements in the economy of this country. He said the forum focuses on the youths segment, citing the participation of more than 350 organizations from more than 70 countries and its being held as the Kingdom is witnessing a national transformation 2020 program that targets promoting the non-profit sector as part of the country's vision 2030. Casting light on his ministry's role in this respect, Al-Ghafis said that strenuous work during only one year resulted in a 20% growth rate of non-profit sector in the Kingdom, a sizable increase in the number of volunteers and workers in the non-profit sector organizations in addition to skills building programs which attracted 12% of the personnel in the sector in different jobs as well as national associations and institutions governance. --More 18:43 LOCAL TIME 15:43 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1623705
