The visit highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to global relief efforts and its partnership with international organizations to support vulnerable populations.

Guterres met with Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, along with senior officials, to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in New York, Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Wasil, also participated in the discussions, reflecting the high-level engagement of both sides.

The meetings focused on humanitarian priorities, relief programs, and strategies to strengthen joint operations between KSrelief and UN agencies.

The dialogue emphasized innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in delivering aid to regions affected by conflict, disasters, and humanitarian crises.

Officials presented an overview of KSrelief’s global portfolio, which now includes 3,881 active projects across 109 countries, with a combined value exceeding $8 billion.

The portfolio covers diverse programs, from medical aid and artificial limbs distribution to educational and reintegration initiatives for children affected by conflict.

Guterres was briefed on key initiatives such as the Masam demining program in Yemen, which removes landmines and unexploded ordnance to protect civilian communities.

The center’s Conjoined Twins Program and voluntary medical missions were also highlighted as examples of Saudi-led innovation and international collaboration.

The visit included a tour of KSrelief’s permanent exhibition, which features an interactive map showing beneficiary countries and multimedia stories that demonstrate the impact of the center’s work.

Guterres experienced the “messages of hope” corner, using virtual-reality technology to understand the perspectives of refugees and displaced populations firsthand.

The UN chief also met Saudi medical volunteers who participate in KSrelief missions abroad, hearing personal accounts of their dedication to saving lives and delivering assistance on the ground.

These interactions underscored the human element of humanitarian work and the importance of training, preparedness, and cross-border coordination.

Guterres further visited offices of partner organizations housed within the center to learn about joint programs and collaborative efforts that amplify the reach and effectiveness of humanitarian aid.

The engagement highlighted KSrelief’s role as a hub for international cooperation, fostering partnerships that benefit communities globally.

The visit reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to addressing humanitarian needs through innovation, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.

KSrelief continues to set standards in efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness in relief operations, making a significant contribution to international humanitarian efforts.

Through initiatives like digital relief platforms, international registration systems, and capacity-building programs, KSrelief is helping transform the delivery of aid worldwide.

The collaboration with the UN exemplifies how global institutions can work together to support vulnerable populations and build resilient communities.

The meeting and tour of KSrelief by the UN Secretary-General demonstrate the Kingdom’s leadership in humanitarian action and its strategic vision for global relief.

By fostering partnerships, advancing innovative programs, and prioritizing the needs of affected populations, Saudi Arabia continues to positively impact millions of lives worldwide.

The initiative has become one of the world’s most comprehensive efforts supporting children born with complex congenital conditions.

Since its launch in 1990, the program has assessed 152 cases from 28 countries across five continents, providing advanced medical expertise to families who often lack access to specialized care.

Through the support of national leadership, the program has earned global recognition for both its medical outcomes and its commitment to humanitarian values.

A total of 67 separation surgeries have been performed at King Abdulaziz Medical City, with each procedure delivered at no cost to the families involved.

The program covers every aspect of care, including surgery, rehabilitation, travel, accommodation and family support, ensuring that children receive treatment in a stable and compassionate environment.

This year’s observance emphasized the importance of inclusive health systems and the global responsibility to support children with disabilities.

Saudi Arabia’s engagement in the UN-recognized day reflects its broader commitment to medical outreach through KSrelief, the Kingdom’s international humanitarian aid agency.

KSrelief organized an international conference to mark more than 30 years of the program’s achievements, bringing together medical specialists, policymakers and humanitarian experts.

The event focused on strengthening international cooperation, improving long-term post-surgery support and advancing research on conjoined twins worldwide.

During the conference, new agreements were signed to expand access to integrated services after separation surgeries.

These agreements cover healthcare follow-up, educational support and social services in the children’s home countries, ensuring that families receive continuing assistance beyond the operating room.

A dedicated data platform was also introduced to track long-term outcomes and enhance global understanding of conjoined twin cases.

This effort will support coordinated care, facilitate research and ensure that best practices can be shared across international medical communities.

Additional partnerships were concluded with Imperial College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the UK.
The collaborations aim to advance research, promote knowledge exchange and strengthen the global registry of conjoined twin cases.

Another agreement was signed with the Ministry of Defense’s Aeromedical Evacuation Department to support specialized medical transport for critical cases.

This ensures that infants requiring urgent care can be transported safely and efficiently from their home countries to Saudi Arabia.

To commemorate the UN day, KSrelief joined UNICEF and the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN in hosting an event under the theme “From Words to Action.”

The gathering underscored the need for inclusive healthcare, education and protection services for children with disabilities across the world.

Conjoined twins represent one of the rarest and most complex medical challenges globally, requiring highly specialized teams, advanced surgical planning and long-term rehabilitation.

Their experiences reflect the broader challenges faced by millions of children with disabilities, including limited access to medical care and barriers to full social participation.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, head of the program, emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the impact of expertise guided by compassion.

He noted that the program aims to give every child a chance at a healthier and more dignified life, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Al-Rabeeah said that global partnerships are essential to improving outcomes for children with complex medical needs.

He reaffirmed the shared commitment with UNICEF to ensure that disabilities never stand in the way of a child receiving proper care and support.

As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its humanitarian medical programs, the Conjoined Twins Program remains a leading example of how long-term commitment and international cooperation can transform individual lives.

Its achievements serve as a model for other nations seeking to advance inclusive healthcare and strengthen support for vulnerable children worldwide.