The second Adolescent and Youth Health Conference was inaugurated today (Sunday) under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd Al Said, Assistant Secretary-General for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs at Hormuz Grand hotel, with the presence of  number of their Excellencies and Representatives of World Organizations.

The regional conference, organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH) represented by the department of School and University Health, witnessed a wide range of participants from the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) region and other regions in the world.

The opening ceremony included a speech of the Director General of the Primary Health Care Dr. Saeed Al Lamki that highlighted the significance of such gathering, as there are currently more than 100 million young people in the MENA region. Adolescents and young people (aged 10 to 24) in the Sultanate accounts for 28.3% of the Omani population, according to the annual health report.

Dr. Al Lamki added ‘’Investing in the health, development and well-being of the adolescents and youth is the most cost-effective investment that any country can achieve in the future. We must be supportive of them in terms of believing in their abilities, creating a supportive and safe environment collectively as individuals, groups, or governmental and non-governmental organizations’’.

Number of World Organization Representatives in Oman, namely the World Health Organization (WHO),  International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) spoke in the opening ceremony addressing role of their organizations in boosting adolescent and youth health.

Moreover, Dr. Rashid Al Hajri, President of the National Youth Commission delivered a word on the Commission vision in supporting youth through planned projects since its establishment six years ago, sitting the proper objectives and dealing the existing challenges.

The ceremony also included launching of ‘Adolescent and Youth Health’ postage stamp. Other activities were presented during the opening ceremony that included youth talent, Omani art, as well as video on School Health. The conference was accompanied by an exhibition with several corners related to the theme of the conference displayed by group of associations, national committees, and individuals. Click Here for More Details