In order to achieve the principle of not leaving anyone behind, Saudi Arabia will continue to promote and protect the rights of the elderly as part of its attempts at implementing sustainable development plans.

In his speech at the 12th session of the UN Open-ended working group on aging, Counselor Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ateeq, charged with affairs in the Kingdom's permanent delegation to the United Nations, said as much.

Saudi Arabia is one of the countries with a low percentage of elderly, Al-Ateeq said in his speech. According to him, about 4.2% of the total population of the Kingdom is over 65 years old. According to official statistics, this category receives a lot of attention. Saudi society has values and customs that value and care for the elderly.

The Saudi government gives priority, care, and great attention to the elderly category, both from an organizational and historical perspective. The Saudi Arabian government adopted this year, in January, the rights and care of the elderly system, with the aim of promoting and protecting their rights.

In Article 3 of the 'Rights and Care of the Elderly' law, it is stipulated that the elderly must be empowered to live in an environment that preserves their rights and opportunities for their integration into society.

As part of the Law, the concerned ministry is also obligated to provide documented statistics on the elderly, to use them in conducting relevant studies and research, to assist in creating plans and programs, and to organize and implement appropriate programs for the elderly and encourage those who are capable of working.

- Al-Ateeq explained that the law in the Kingdom imposes strict penalties on those who abuse the elderly, whether they are individuals or institutions that engage in civil or governmental processes to provide services to the elderly. Alternative penalties, financial fines, and imprisonment are applied for those who commit such abuse.

SOURCE : SAUDI EXPATRIATES