World Refugee Day 2003: Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries (comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates)

Dignitaries attending the opening of the photo and poster exhibition in Riyadh. © UNHCR

© © UNHCR

The governments of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) sponsored World Refugee Day activities in the region.

At a press conference in Riyadh, UNHCR's Regional Representative outlined this year's theme and stressed the importance of development and rehabilitation programmes for refugee youth.

A photo and poster exhibition was held by UNHCR with the support of local government agencies, NGOs and advocacy groups to raise public awareness of refugee issues. Among the guests at the 15-day event were popular singer Mohammad Abdo and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Saad Alrashid.

Guests at the UNHCR information stand during the exhibition.

© UNHCR

UNHCR's awareness advertisements appeared in newspapers, magazines and NGO publications.