WB honoring of Kuwait Amir in recognition of his role as Humanitarian Leader

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) (Roundup) KUWAIT, April 29 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reaffirmed his entitlement to the prestigious position and the great status he enjoys not only at the regional level but also throughout the world.

Thus, His Highness the Amir has received various worthy titles and honors that no leader in the world was able in similarly.

This is for no reason other than the recognition of His Highness's internationally acclaimed role in supporting the political, economic and social stability of all countries.

The leader of Kuwait also strives to help those in need throughout the world.

In this context, the United Nations has given the Amir in 2014 the title of Humanitarian Leader and named Kuwait as a humanitarian center, and World Bank after five years from that date, came to honor His Highness as a leader of development at the global level, indicating the continuation of His Highness the Amir's belief that Kuwait could play in the areas of humanitarian assistance.

Earlier today, the World Bank Group honoring of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also comes in recognition of his role in supporting international development efforts to achieve sustainable development and fight poverty by providing aid to some 100 developing countries.

His Highness the Amir received at Bayan Palace Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf, Vice-President of World Bank Group (WBG) for Middle East and North Africa Ferid Belhaj and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, His Highness the Amir was awarded a certificate of merit in appreciation for his role as a development leader and for supporting global social and economic development efforts.

On this occasion, His Highness the Amir said: "I am delighted to receive this recognition; an exceptional honor for me and my country, from Interim President for the World Bank Group (WBG) Kristalina Georgieva." "I express my gratitude, as well as that of the Kuwaiti people for this kind gesture coming from one of the most important international organizations that cares and caters for socio-economic and developmental projects and programs in developing countries, particularly the least developed ones, in a bid to achieve security and stability for their peoples," His Highness Sheikh Sabah said.

His Highness the Amir said Kuwait, since joining the WBG in 1962, has contributed to helping and financing the Group's developmental programs to eradicate poverty and revitalize economies as possible just out of deep belief in the socio-economic prosperity of either neighboring countries, or otherwise.

Thus, Kuwait established the Fund for Arab Economic Development in 1961, which since then has largely contributed to financing projects in more than 120 countries, His Highness the Amir said.

Sheikh Sabah went on to say that Kuwait has also co-partnered with many global developmental institutions, mainly the WBG; which Kuwait is honored to be one of the most cooperative countries with.

His Highness the Amir reaffirmed determination to continue on the path of helping countries plagued with natural disasters and human tragedies.

Addressing the reception, Belhaj said he was so happy to represent the World Bank Group in honoring His Highness the Amir in appreciation for his key role in supporting economic and social development worldwide through aid to more than 120 countries.

The WBG's vice president said his delegation, together with partners in the State of Kuwait, will celebrate today 10 years since the opening of the WBG's office in Kuwait, which has helped in the promotion of relations between Kuwait and the WBG.

In this context, he voiced much thanks to the Kuwaiti government for its unlimited backing to the office.

Belhaj echoed appreciation to the Kuwaiti government and people for supporting international efforts in economic and social sustainable development, and eradicating poverty worldwide.

He concluded by saying he was honored to gift, on behalf of the WBG President, His Highness the Amir a WBG shield in recognition of his efforts in in the social domain and international cooperation against poverty.

For his part, the World Bank Group Resident Representative in Kuwait, Ghassan Khoja said that the volume of Kuwaiti government aid is about 1.2 percent of its gross national income.

"Kuwait provides such assistance without conditions or political interference," Khoja said, adding that Kuwait's assistance directly contributes to improving living standards of hundreds of millions of poor people around the world.

He said that this aid also contributes to the construction of infrastructure facilities of developing countries, to enable them to achieve economic development and join global economy.

He pointed out to the establishment of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) is evidence of Kuwait's commitment to help developing countries by allocating part of its resources to serve development efforts.

The total value of the loans provided by the Fund since its inception exceeded USD 16 billion, while the value of grants amounted to about USD seven billion, he pointed out.

He further noted that Kuwait supports many regional and international development institutions, including the International Development Association (IDA), which is one of the most important institutions in the World Bank Group, which supports development in low-income countries.

Moreover, Khoja praised His Highness the Amir's contributions to Arab and international conferences by allocating large sums to support small projects and encouraging entrepreneurs, as well as the technology sector.

Kuwait has been a key member of the IDA for over 55 years, he said, adding that the World Bank Group recognizes the importance of Kuwait as a long-time financial contributor to the Foundation since 1977.

As one of the World Bank Group's institutions, IDA is one of the most effective platforms to fight poverty in the world.

He added that the honoring of His Highness the Amir came due to Kuwait's contributions to several regional and international institutions, including the WBG's International Development Association.

On his part, the WBG's Executive Director and Dean of the Board of Executive Directors Merza Hussain Hasan said in a statement following the meeting with His Highness the Amir that a memorial shield was given to His Highness the Amir from the WBG.

He said on behalf of the WBG president, Belhaj presented His Highness the Amir with the shield as a sign of thanks and gratitude to the leading role-played by His Highness the Amir and the State of Kuwait in sustainable development.

He added that Kuwait has helped in many WBG projects aiming at wiping out poverty, improving services and providing basic services, mainly power, water, sanitation, education and health, to many people and more than 100 countries.

Hasan noted that the honoring of His Highness the Amir reflected the WBG's appreciation to Sheikh Sabah for his efforts in providing a dignified life to those people and taking them out of poverty.

He concluded by saying that he was so proud to honor His Highness the Amir for the first time in appreciation for his internationally recognized efforts. (end) amh.mb

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