Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Jazan region, the Autism Associations Forum 2024 opened today at the Millennium Hotel in Jizan, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan, honorary chairman of the Autism Associations Coordinating Committee, along with senior officials and more than 49 specialized autism associations from across the Kingdom.

Forum objectives

The forum aims to achieve a sustainable, qualitative shift in the services provided by autism associations by developing programs for people with autism and their families, drawing on global best practices, and focusing on digital transformation and technological development as key tools to support sustainable solutions and boost institutional performance.

A range of sessions and activities

The forum included a number of events, panel discussions and workshops covering topics such as:

  • developmental housing for people with autism; and
  • using artificial intelligence to improve services.

The forum also saw the signing of memorandums of understanding with a number of national and international companies and institutions to strengthen cooperation and develop partnerships, aiming to achieve a qualitative shift in the quality of services provided to this group.

Remarks from leaders and participants

Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan said in his remarks that the forum represents a pivotal step toward empowering the associations and advancing sustainable development to serve people with autism and their families, noting that empowerment and development are key to improving quality of life for this group.

Areej Al-Muallem, chair of the Autism Associations Coordinating Committee, said the forum reflects the wise leadership's commitment to supporting the autism sector, stressing the importance of cooperation between associations and various institutions to ensure integrated services that meet the highest global standards.

Continuing the development journey

The forum is the second edition, following its inaugural staging in Riyadh last year, and continues efforts to strengthen the standing of autism associations across the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030's goals of improving quality of life and advancing social services.