KUWAIT, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on Wednesday heads of diplomatic missions who expressed congratulations on his proclamation by the United Nations as "Humanitarian Leader" and the State of Kuwait as a "Humanitarian Center."
His Highness the Amir received the diplomats at Bayan Palace, with attendance of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Acting Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, leading officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Senegal's Ambassador Abdou Lahad Mbacke.
Addressing the diplomats, His Highness the Amir expressed deep gratitude for their congratulations and kind sentiments, manifested on the occasion of the UN proclamations, the "praise for the distinctive role of the State of Kuwait in the realm of humanitarian action and the partnerships with the international community, represented by the United Nations in all such efforts."
His Highness the Amir expressed appreciation for this "graceful gesture that depicts depth of the relations between the State of Kuwait with friendly and sisterly states." "Undoubtedly," His Highness stated, "the praise heaped upon our dear homeland by the United Nations, is an unprecedented step in the UN records, reflects the high status of the State of Kuwait in the sector of humanitarian action, for sake of sparing lives and alleviating hardships throughout the world.
"Such praise is due to the efforts and humanitarian initiatives to aid those in need, relieving those stricken in wars and natural catastrophes, victims of which have been drastically mounting along with the increasing regretful consequences, particularly over the past years." Kuwait will continue to support any humanitarian activities in line with its stable foreign policy, designed to help any states seeking help, His Highness the Amir re-pledged, noting that such an approach is based on the Kuwaiti's genuine traits and the country's history.
For his part, Ambassador Mbacke congratulated His Highness the Amir, noting that Sheikh Sabah was chosen by the UN for such honoring due to his life-long devotion for charitable work as well as for the Kuwaiti people's generous contributions worldwide.
Ambassador Mbacke noted His Highness the Amir's allotment of USD one billion for development in Africa during the 2013 Arab-African summit, USD 800 million for relieving the Syrian people, USD 200 million for the "honorable life fund" in Islamic nations, USD 300 million for funding development schemes in Asia, USD 500 million for development in eastern Sudan and USD 500 million for activating the "development initiative" in the Arab states in 2009.
Moreover, he noted activities by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, funding projects in some 103 states, with KD 5.2 billion, the Kuwait donation of USD four million for the fight against Ebola, the donations for victims of the 2011 tsunami in Japan, in addition to the diplomatic efforts for ironing out differences among the "brothers and friends." "All these efforts have rendered you the best to be designated the Humanitarian Leader, as well choosing your country as the Humanitarian Center." The dean of the diplomatic corps lauded the efforts of the Kuwaiti associations, also noting the annual award of USD one million in the name of the late Dr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Sumait, as a "tribute to this personality that had played a prominent role in charitable action in Africa." (end) rk