Ammon News - AMMAN - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday met with UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

The King expressed appreciation of programs being implemented by the UN organization in Jordan and which promote services provided to children as well as the Kingdom's plans and programs in this area.

At the meeting, which was attended by Royal Court Chief Khaled Karaki, Lake hailed efforts made by Jordan to help underprivileged children, adding such efforts will enable more children to receive education and health services.

UNICEF has made many accomplishments in the Kingdom in cooperaiotn with concerned authorities such as reducing violence at schools and approving a national strategy to fight violence against children and translate it into administrative policies.

Also on Thursday, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met with Lake.

The meeting focused on the important role that Her Majesty plays in her capacity as a UNICEF Eminent Advocate for Children.

Lake briefed the Queen on UNICEF’s latest programs and progress achieved in providing care to women and children locally and in the region, and in raising awareness about their rights.

"As UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate, Her Majesty has made education, especially for girls, her top priority both in Jordan and around the world," said Lake. "Her Majesty’s unwavering efforts have drawn new global attention to the rights and well-being of children, and UNICEF is deeply grateful for her commitment." The meeting, which was also attended by Shahida Azfar, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa and Dominique Hyde, UNICEF’s Representative in Jordan, included a discussion on the progress achieved on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Jordan.


* Petra