(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The State of Kuwait on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the UN conferring the titles of "humanitarian leader" to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and "center of humanitarian action" to the country.
On this occasion the United Nations House in Kuwait was renamed as "Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Humanitarian Leader Building" in recognition of His Highness the Amir's generous contributions to the relief efforts worldwide.
The renaming ceremony was attended by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Representative of UN Secretary General in Kuwait Dr. Mubashar Riaz Sheikh as well as dozens of state officials, diplomats and UN officials.
In a message to the ceremony read by Dr. Sheikh, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the UN-Kuwait partnership went beyond the financial contributions and practical cooperation.
This partnership provides a groundwork and opportunity for dialogue among workers in the humanitarian field since Kuwait has become important premises of global activities and a staunch supporter of the UN activities, according to the message.
This active partnership would never become real but for the leadership of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the strong support from the Kuwaiti government and the generosity of the people of Kuwait.
Last year the UN honored His Highness the Amir with the title of "Humanitarian Leader," as a sign of gratitude and appreciation for these contributions, the Secretary General went on.
He added that the UN will continue capitalizing on the efforts of His Highness the Amir and other leaders in addressing the humanitarian issues of the world, promoting peace, sustainable development and welfare for all peoples.
On his part, Dr. Sheikh expressed joy and pride for the renaming of the UN House in Kuwait, and said that Kuwait under the leadership of His Highness the Amir acts in the frontline of the relief effort.
In the recent years Kuwait hosted several international humanitarian pledging conferences which helped raise up to USD 7.5 billion including USD 1.3 billion from Kuwait, he pointed out.
His Highness the Amir is the first Arab leader who is globally renowned for his generous humanitarian contributions, Dr. Sheikh said, noting that the UN honoring of him was a token of appreciation for his generosity.
In a similar address to the ceremony, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said: "The naming of the UN building after His Highness the Amir is a kind gesture that reflects the constructive cooperation between Kuwait and the UN." "The UN accolade to His Highness the Amir translates the success of the humanitarian philosophy of His Highness the Amir based on the principles of wisdom, moderation and dialogue to contain the disputes and manage the crises in the region and beyond," Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said such appreciation by the international community of His Highness the Amir for his humanitarian contributions has bolstered the State of Kuwait's position.
The Kuwait people, together with the peace-loving people of the world, are eager for security and stability and recall the practical humanitarian steps taken by His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Mohammad added.
Minister for Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said: "We wish to express our profound appreciation to HH the Amir for continuing to lead the global efforts for humanitarian relief to the victims of the crises not only in Syria but across the globe." "In presenting the award, the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, commended His Highness the Amir for his remarkable acts of human kindness and generosity and paid homage to the exemplary humanitarian leadership" demonstrated by the State of Kuwait," reads an Op-Ed co-authored by Sheikh Salman and the UN Resident Coordinator/United Nations Development Program Resident Representative Dr. Mubashar Riaz Sheikh.
The personal dedication demonstrated by His Highness the Amir to the cause of humanitarian relief for those affected by the conflict in Syria has been inspirational, the two eminent figures noted. By presenting the Humanitarian Leadership Award to HH the Amir, the United Nations expressed profound gratitude for the role of His Highness the Amir in response to humanitarian disasters worldwide through hosting three international pledging conferences for Syria (in 2013, 2014 and 2015) and direct intervention to galvanize the global community to contribute funds for the victims of this devastating conflict, they added.
For her part, Assistant Undersecretary of the Amiri Diwan and Director-General of the Martyrs' Bureau Fatema Al-Amir said His Highness the Amir's contribution to the founding of the Bureau testifies to his humanitarian nature.
The Bureau started a campaign to post up the photos of martyr of Kuwait at public squares and government buildings countrywide in tribute to the great sons of Kuwait who sacrificed their lives for the homeland, she noted.
Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) issued a book titled "Leader of the Humanitarian Work" to shed light on His Highness the Amir's pioneering role in alleviating the suffering of disaster-hit peoples around the globe.
KRCS' Chairman Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer said the book reflects the bright image of the humanitarian work of His Highness the Amir, documenting a number of humanitarian initiatives of His Highness the Amir.
It also discussed the honoring of His Highness the Amir by the United Nations (UN) and granting him the title of "Humanitarian Leader" in recognition of the leading role Kuwait plays in this field, he said.
The book also tackled the donations offered by Kuwait to countries and international humanitarian institutions serving people in need in all parts of the world, he added.
The book mentioned Kuwait's hosting of three donors' conferences for Syria, and the remarkable role of His Highness the Amir in dealing with such crisis and means to resolve it, as it constitutes a great threat to the region and the whole world, he added.
It tackled the latest donations offered by Kuwait to Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, and the keenness of His Highness the Amir that such relief would immediately reach people suffering in their war torn countries, he went on.
The title granted to His Highness the Amir as a "Humanitarian Leader" is an unprecedented event in the UN, besides naming Kuwait a "Humanitarian Center," Al-Sayer affirmed.
His Highness the Amir's great achievement at the Arab and international arenas is a source of great pride to the Kuwaiti people, he added.
Director-General of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi said His Highness the Amir devoted his efforts for cause of peace and welfare of humanity.
Dr. Al-Mutairi said His Highness the Amir's efforts helped alleviate poverty, hungry and the impacts of natural and man-made disasters worldwide.
He cited the statements of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the honoring ceremony at the UN HQ. in New York last year that: "We thank the Amir and the people of Kuwait for their outstanding generosity towards people in need." Zakat House, a Kuwaiti fund-raising agency, said in a statement by its director Ibrahim Ahmad Al-Saleh, that the numerous contributions His Highness the Amir has made over the years, both regionally and internationally, helped alleviate the suffering of countless people worldwide.
His Highness the Amir made these contributions without making any distinctions in color, race, religion, or national origin of the recipients, Al-Saleh said, adding that Kuwait has always been at the vanguard of nations offering aid to people in distress.
In Cairo, Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi lauded His Highness the Amir's "countless" humanitarian contributions around the world.
Al-Sisi expressed appreciation for Kuwait's continued support for Egypt during a meeting with Deputy Speaker of Kuwait's National Assembly Mubarak Al-Khurainej, according to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Alaa Youssef. The meeting was also attended by Kuwait's Ambassador Salem Al-Zamanan.
The
Egyptian President also said that the UN naming of His Highness the Amir as 'Humanitarian Leader' is reflective of His Highness's remarkable actions of kindness.
Al-Khurainej, on his part, conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir to Egypt, as well as wishing it continued success and prosperity.
Kuwait is commemorating the first anniversary of the UN naming of His Highness the Amir as 'Humanitarian Leader' and Kuwait a 'Humanitarian Center' as a token of appreciation for Kuwait's leading humanitarian role around the world.
Also in Cairo, the Arab League Council said the UN honoring of His Highness the Amir is a well-deserved appreciation for the generous donations by His Highness the Amir and the government and people of Kuwait.
The permanent delegates of Council said in a statement at the end of their 144th session spoke highly of the exemplary efforts being made by Kuwait at the behest of His Highness the Amir to sustain the progress of humanitarian action around the globe.
The UN honoring of His Highness the Amir and the State of Kuwait is a historic testimony of the limitless support by Kuwait to humanitarian action, they said, citing the last three annual international humanitarian pledging conferences for Syria, hosted by Kuwait.
The statement, to be tendered to the Arab foreign ministers' meeting on Sunday for endorsement, expressed congratulation to His Highness the Amir on the first anniversary of the UN accolade.
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