UNICEF launches flagship annual report at Dubai Future Forum

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation, marked World Children’s Day at the Museum of the Future on Wednesday.

The occasion commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This special celebration was part of the Dubai Future Forum 2024, which brings together global futurists and thought leaders to address issues shaping the future.

As part of the forum, UNICEF launched its flagship annual report, State of the World’s Children, highlighting key challenges affecting children worldwide. This year’s report includes insights from UNICEF’s Global Youth Network and Youth Foresight Fellows.

"Exploring the possible outcomes of trends like demographics, climate change, and the impact of digital technologies allows us to plan ahead and shape a better future for children. Engaging young people in our work, so that their views contribute to shaping this future, ensures its success," said Bo Viktor Nylund, Director of UNICEF Innocenti - Global Office of Research and Foresight.

He also told ARN News that the Dubai Future Forum is an effective platform to reach out to decision-makers across key sectors.

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Following the launch of the report, an interactive exhibition titled 'The Future of Childhood in a Changing World' was unveiled. It showcased future child personas living in three distinct worlds, highlighting the urgent need for action to uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"As a platform for global dialogue and foresight, the Forum is a fitting space to examine the pressing challenges facing young generations. Dubai Future Foundation remains committed to advancing initiatives that ensure our readiness to meet the needs of future generations," said Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation.