By Khaled Al-Daihani
LONDON, March 17 (KUNA) -- Under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait had solidified its status as a small country with huge contributions to global welfare, said an official late Friday.
In a ceremony honoring charitable Kuwaiti figures held at the British House of Lords, the undersecretary for ruling family affairs at the Kuwaiti Amiri Diwan Sheikh Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said that holding the event at such esteemed place was a great indication of the UK recognition of Kuwait's charitable efforts.
Sheikh Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah thanked House member Lord Mohamed Sheikh for allowing him the opportunity to deliver a speech on Kuwait's charitable efforts.
The 2014 UN honoring of Kuwait as an international humanitarian center and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah as a humanitarian leader are great indications of Kuwait's grand global status, said Sheikh Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah, adding that the current event adds to his country's reputation.
Under His Highness the Amir's leadership, Kuwaiti charitable societies have spread their efforts globally to reach all those who in need, said the official.
He affirmed that the current status quo had lead Kuwaiti to increase its humanitarian efforts in parts of the world devastate by war and mayhem, noting that the Gulf nation had hosted several conferences and events to help other world countries to withstand suffering and destruction caused by crises whether natural or manmade.
In 2010, Kuwait hosted a reconstruction conference for eastern Sudan, which managed to gather USD 3.5 billion, said Sheikh Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah who noted that his country donated USD 550 million for the cause. The Non-Government Organizations' (NGO) contributions was at USD 120 million, the Kuwaiti official indicated.
He also touched on the three conference for Syria and nearby countries in Kuwait, which gathered USD eight billion for the cause. He added that Kuwait also co-organized the fourth conference in the UK, which gathered USD 10 billion for Syria. Of which, Kuwait donated USD 1.6 billion, he said.
Sheikh Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah said that the parallel four NGOs conferences for Syria, hosted by Kuwait had also contributed USD 1.6 billion.
Last February, the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq managed to conjure up USD 30 billion, indicated Sheikh Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah, adding that Kuwait contributed a sum of USD two billion for the conference while NGOs donated USD 337 million.
On his part, Lord Sheikh deemed Kuwait as a "super power" within the domain of humanitarian efforts and charity, lauding His Highness the Amir for his generosity, which is befitting of the UN global humanitarian leader.
Lord Sheikh commended the distinguished Kuwaiti-British relations, saying that Kuwait is one of the UK's main partners and allies.
The British House of Lords member also praised Kuwait's strong economy, commending steps by the Kuwaiti government to diversify its economic resources and output.
He noted that the Islamic banking sector, which Kuwait is known for, would have a great impact on world economy in the upcoming years.
Meanwhile, Head of the Al-Babtain Foundation for Poetic Creativity, Abdulaziz Al-Babtain said that the Kuwaiti public and popular stance had always favored providing a helping hand in accordance with the tenets of the Islamic faith.
Al-Babtain said that the strong relations linking Kuwait and Britain was reflective on the humanitarian domain with the UK allowing Kuwaiti charitable societies to operate in the country without restriction.
Also delivering his speech to the event was Ambassador of Kuwait to the UK Khaled Al-Duwaisan, who lauded his country's gracious gesture towards all who suffer around the globe.
The ceremony for Kuwaiti charitable figures saw the honoring of Sheikh Dr. Khaled Al-Mathkour, the late Abdurrahman Al-Sumait, Dr. Adel Al-Youssefi, the late Jassem Al-Kharafi, the late Mubarak Al-Hasawi, the late Abdullah Al-Muttawa, Ma'ali Al-Asousi, and Hanan Al-Qattan.
The ceremony also saw the honoring of Najat charitable society, the Kuwaiti society for humanitarian work, and Al-Rahma international society. (end) kd.gta