​Israel’s term as member of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board begins on 1 January 2013. This is the third time that Israel has served on the Executive Board of this prestigious and important organization, after a break of over 40 years.

UNICEF, which operates in approximately 200 countries, is a humanitarian rescue organization that is concerned with children’s health around the world, and supplies them with clean water, proper nutrition, education, humanitarian relief in disaster zones and more.

UNICEF’s connection with Israel began in 1948, at which time the organization responded favorably to the request to provide humanitarian aid to the new country, and shipped food, blankets, vaccines and medical equipment for the treatment of children and mothers.

Israel has an excellent network of connections with the organization. The Israeli Fund for UNICEF, operating from Tel Aviv, has raised millions of shekels for the organization's activities for the benefit of children around the world. Israel also cooperates with the organization in various areas of assistance projects in Third World countries.

Israel's term on the UNICEF Executive Board is for the duration of one year, 2013, and its representatives, MFA officials, intend to take an active role in discussions and in the management of the organization.