Partnership announcement

UNICEF, KSRelief mark World Conjoined Twins Day

UNICEF and KSRelief renew commitments to children with disabilities in a joint declaration

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Speakers of the panel discussions on the stage
UNICEF/Radhika Chalasani Panel discussion on how governments, civil society, private sector and international organizations can collectively address the needs of conjoined twins and children with disabilities. Panellists (from left to right) Mr. Juan Santander, UNICEF Global Deputy Director for Public Partnerships, Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action & Supply Operations, H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, KSRelief Supervisor General & Advisor to the Royal Court, H. E. Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the UN, H.E. Ambassador Tareq M.A.M Albanai, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the UN, H.E. Ambassador Tara Soomro, Permanent Mission of the UK to the UN.

On 24 November, the world stands together to mark the 2nd UN World Conjoined Twins Day, a moment to celebrate courage and compassion, and to call for stronger action for children with disabilities everywhere.

To mark the occasion, an event, held under this year’s theme “From Words to Action: A world fit for Conjoined Twins and Children with Disabilities”, was hosted by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), UNICEF, and the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations at the UNICEF Headquarters in New York. The gathering underscored the urgent need to transform commitments into meaningful change, ensuring that every child has access to healthcare, education, protection, and inclusion.

“Every child has the right to grow, learn, and belong. This World Conjoined Twins Day, we celebrate the strength of children and families, and the power of global collaboration to turn words into action in ensuring that those rights are upheld,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Conjoined twins represent one of the world’s rarest and most complex medical and social challenges. The twins’ experiences mirror the systemic barriers that are faced by millions of children with disabilities who have limited access to quality healthcare, inclusive education, and full participation in society.

Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme (SCTP) is recognized globally for its expertise and humanity. With 67 successful separation surgeries, the program offers long-term support that extends beyond separation to include psychological, rehabilitation, and social care.

“The Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme,” H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSRelief, emphasized, “has demonstrated that with expertise, compassion, and determination, we can give children with complex medical conditions a new chance at life. Our commitment, alongside UNICEF’s, is clear: no child should be denied care or dignity because of a disability.

UNICEF and KSRelief have maintained a strong, strategic partnership since 2015, enabling both organizations to reach millions of vulnerable children affected by some of the world’s most severe crises.

Earlier this year, on the sidelines of the 2025 Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, the two organizations jointly launched a “Call to Action” to advance the rights and well-being of children with disabilities, including those with complex medical conditions. This initiative urged governments and partners to prioritize disability inclusion at a time when global aid is decreasing, reaffirming that exclusion is not inevitable – it is the result of systemic barriers that can and must be removed.

“Children with disabilities are not excluded because of their abilities, but because of the barriers placed before them. Removing these barriers is not an act of charity, it is a matter of justice and human rights. Today, we reaffirm our joint commitment with UNICEF to ensure that every child, without exception, can live with dignity, access essential services, and fully participate in society,”

H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, said in his statement at the event.

Group photo of the keynote speakers of the event
Photo credit: UNICEF/Radhika Chalasani Keynote speakers of the joint UNICEF, KSRelief and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Permanent Mission to the UN event “From Words to Action: A world fit for Conjoined Twins and Children with Disabilities” marking World Conjoined Twins Day on 24 November. From left to right: Mr. Juan Santander, UNICEF Global Deputy Director for Public Partnerships Division, Mr. Hisham Al-Luhaidan, Pilot & Director of the Air Wing, National Guard Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ziad Memish, Senior Advisor to the Supervisor General, KSrelief, Dr. Celia Christie Samuels, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics, University of West Indies, Mr. Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General & Advisor to the Royal Court, KSRelief, H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohamed Alwasil, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN, Mr. Gopal Mitra, UNICEF Global Lead on Disability and Development.

Advancing Disability Inclusion

Around the world, children with disabilities remain among the most marginalized, especially in contexts of conflict and fragility where access to essential services is disrupted. Addressing their needs requires transformative, multisectoral approaches that embed inclusion into the fabric of national systems and global policies. 

In their joint declaration, UNICEF and KSRelief reaffirmed their commitment to: 

  • Expand early screening and specialized medical care. 
  • Improve access to assistive technologies and inclusive education. 
  • Strengthen psychosocial and community-based support. 
  • Ensure accessibility “by design” across services, systems, and technologies. 

  • Mobilize global partnerships that place disability inclusion at the heart of development.

     

 

About UNICEF – KSRelief Partnership

Since its establishment in 2015, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) and UNICEF have worked together to bring humanitarian relief to millions of children who need it most, in some of the hardest-to-reach areas around the world.