SecGen praises late Saudi crown prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for supporting Palestinian families – SecGen remarks

Remarks at Donor Award Ceremony in memory of Late Crown Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Headquarters, 28 June 2013

I am pleased to join all of you for this award ceremony to honour the late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

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

He was particularly committed to the work of UN-Habitat, especially in support of housing and income generating projects for families in Palestine.

This Outstanding Donor Award recognizes the contribution of the Crown Prince to the Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People.

Today also offers the opportunity to extend heartfelt appreciation to the people and leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to the Saudi Committees and Campaigns.

Since 2003, two of the most important supporters of Palestinian projects have been 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.

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.

For example, the Technical and Vocational Training Centre in Hebron Governorate of the West Bank is helping to empower women and their families by improving earning potential.

The King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz City for Charity Housing and Income Generating Projects for Underprivileged Women is building 100 housing units in Hebron for poor female-led households and providing important training.

And the Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Project for Reconstruction in Gaza is supporting the reconstruction of 100 new housing units for non-refugee families in the Gaza Strip whose houses were destroyed during the Gaza conflict.

It is also developing basic community infrastructure with an emphasis on eco-friendly ‘green’ measures.

These and other projects are a source of what the people of Palestine need most of all – hope. Hope for a better future.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is now my honour to present His Excellency Abdallah Al-Mouallim, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, this award in memory of the late Crown Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his support to the UN-Habitat Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People.

Thank you.