Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah will participate in the World Summit on Children's Rights, which Pope Francis is convening on February 3rd, 2025, at the Vatican. 

Her remarks are scheduled for the first panel of the day.

Prior to the summit, Her Majesty granted an interview to Italian media Corriere della Sera.

Below is the transcript of the interview:

"What is the most pressing issue facing children today? What should governments do?

Every child is born with the same right to life, health, and safety. These rights are not subjective or political; they are fundamental human rights. Yet, the biggest obstacle to children's wellbeing today is that these rights are not equally applied.

Many boys and girls around the world are unjustly denied the protections to which they are entitled. Their suffering should break all our hearts, whether they are in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, or anywhere else. Yet, many people hold their compassion based on race, faith, or nationality.

Governments have a collective responsibility to safeguard the world's children. That begins by recognizing all young people's rights, respecting international law, and holding those who harm children accountable. The world needs to do better.

Since becoming Queen of Jordan, you have worked to revitalize schools, empower women, and improve child and family protection services. You also established the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development (QRF). Are you satisfied with the progress?

Education reform is an ongoing process. There is always room for improvement. Jordan's education sector has faced challenges in recent years, such as accommodating refugee children from neighboring countries into public schools and switching to remote learning during the pandemic. Still, our ambitions for Jordanian children are limitless.

Education is about more than just test scores or workforce readiness; it is about fostering generations that can come up with creative solutions for the world's problems. In our ever-changing world, we need to constantly reinvent education from the ground up, and make the most of emerging technologies, including AI.

You recently issued a heartfelt appeal for the children of Gaza. Does this ceasefire bring a glimmer of hope?

For the past 15 months, the people of Gaza have been holding their breath, focused solely on keeping their families alive. The ceasefire has allowed them to catch their breath – but I'm sure the hope and relief they feel is accompanied by a sense of grief.

Israel has killed tens of thousands of boys and girls, and survivors are now dealing with lost loved ones, malnourishment, life-long injuries, learning loss, and psychological trauma. Their homes, schools, and neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. They are still in desperate need of protection.

Some people prefer not to think about Palestinian children's pain. Some even try to justify it. But a child is a child, and the world has failed Palestinian children over and over again. The global community must move quickly to end their suffering.

Last year, you became a grandmother. Has this new experience changed you in any way? What are your hopes for your grandchild and their parents?

Being around little Iman is a reminder of just how precious all children are and of what really matters. I find it hard to drag myself away from her, and I look forward to our video calls when I am traveling for work!

I have gained a new appreciation for the simple joys in life since little Iman came along. I am also so proud seeing Al Hussein and Rajwa enter this stage of life. They are wonderful parents, and are relishing their new roles.

Who inspires you? Who are your role models?

I am most inspired by ordinary people who show extraordinary courage and compassion. That is why I cherish my meetings with Jordanians working behind the scenes to uplift others, whether they are educators, social workers, entrepreneurs, or devoted parents. And, in recent months, I have been in constant awe of health workers in Gaza, who have braved Israeli airstrikes and the risk of unlawful detention to care for the injured. Despite being hungry, displaced, and exhausted, they kept showing up for their people. Their selflessness under fire is an example to us all.

You will participate in the World Summit at the Vatican. What do you expect from this significant event?

There is no one more worthy of our protection than our children; yet our world is failing to live up to this duty. Last year was one of the worst on record for children in conflict zones. Over 473 million children were impacted by war; if they resided in a single country, it would be the third most populous on Earth!

So, there is a lot of work to be done. And I am thankful to His Holiness Pope Francis for convening this summit to bring together many different perspectives. He has long been a champion of children's rights, and I greatly admire his efforts to put the wellbeing of children at the forefront of the world's priorities."