Saudi Crown Prince Honoured For Work on Palestinian Projects

Saudi Crown Prince Nayef Honoured For Work with UN Agency on Palestinian Projects

New York, Jun 28 2013 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN-Habitat, the agency charged with ensuring adequate shelter for all, today honoured the late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his support of Palestinian projects.

In his speech, Mr. Ban also offered his "heartfelt appreciation" the people and leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Committees and Campaigns.

"Their financial support is making a concrete difference in the lives of hundreds of Palestinian families, improving conditions in communities and contributing to peace, security and stability," Secretary-General Ban said in a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York.

Mr. Ban presented the Outstanding Donor Award for the Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People to Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN, who accepted it on behalf of the late Crown Prince.

"The late Crown Prince will be remembered for his commitment to humanitarian and relief work all over the world," said Mr. Ban.

"He was particularly committed to the work of UN-Habitat, especially in support of housing and income generating projects for families in Palestine," the UN chief added at a ceremony that included Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, was also present.

The Saudi Committee for the Relief of the Palestinian People and the Campaign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the Relief of the Palestinian People in Gaza have been the two most important supporters of Palestinian projects since 2003, Mr. Ban noted.

In Hebron Governorate of the West Bank, the Saudi organizations have supported programmes at Technical and Vocational Training Centre and the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz City for Charity Housing and Income Generating Projects for Underprivileged Women.

In addition, the Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Project for Reconstruction in Gaza supports the reconstruction of 100 new housing units with eco-friendly "green measures" for non-refugee families in the Gaza Strip whose houses where destroyed during the Gaza conflict, Mr. Ban said.

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

ENDS

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