The World Food Program (WFP) has awarded its "World Champion in the Battle Against Hunger for 2008" Prize to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at a ceremony held last night in Davos, Switzerland, in which many representatives of states, governments, global organizations and big companies took part. On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainel, received the prize handed over by the Executive Director of WFP Josette Sheeran. In a speech to mark the event, she expressed great thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for his support for WFP, citing his generous donation of 500 million U.S. dollars. She described the king's gesture as a beacon of hope for the poorest and most needy in the world. For his part, the Minister of Commerce and Industry delivered a speech at the ceremony in which he said "I am honored to receive this distinguished award on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who, by accepting it, dispatches a broad message to the world that we have to bear a shared responsibility to combat hunger, which is of urgent importance in the light of the current economic crisis and its impacts". Fighting hunger is one of the priorities of human rights and a noble goal to which the King of Humanity is leading us, Zainel said, in reference to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. A number of dignitaries, representatives of states, governments, international organizations and renowned global companies then expressed thanks to and appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his humanitarian initiative and generous stances witnessed by everyone. Former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and Saudi Ambassador to Switzerland Hazem bin Mohammed Kriqtly were among the most prominent speakers at the ceremony. For his part, the Saudi Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf said, "This prize is an appreciation of and gratitude to the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to WFP. In a statement to the Saudi TV, Al-Assaf said that the donation worth $ 500 million by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to WFP is one of the largest individual donations to WFP and has helped many poor countries, especially those suffering from food shortages in Africa, in particular.
