Riyadh: The Arab League, the Arab Labor Organization, and the Arab Council for Childhood and Development have jointly called on all relevant parties to take urgent action to protect children from all forms of exploitation and uphold their rights as sanctioned by international conventions and agreements. The statement draws particular attention to working children who have been deprived of their childhood and innocence, subjected to physical and psychological harm, and denied their fundamental rights to education, development, and a dignified life.

According to Saudi Press Agency, in a joint statement issued today, the three Arab organizations marked the World Day Against Child Labor, established by the International Labor Organization in 2002 and observed annually on June 12.

The statement noted that the global goal of eliminating child labor in all its forms by 2025 remains out of reach. It cited the latest global estimates from 2021, which revealed that 160 million children are engaged in child labor, comprising 63 million girls and 97 million boys.

The three organizations reaffirmed their full commitment to continued joint efforts to combat child labor and to support relevant international movements and United Nations initiatives.