Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, apologized to the participants in the 3rd International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation for not being able to attend and participate with them in the conference which was opened today on behalf of him by Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, the Acting Governor of Riyadh Region. The speech of the Crown Prince was delivered on his behalf by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Chairman of Board of Directors of Disabled Children's Association and the General Supervisor of the Conference. The Crown Prince thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for the continued care given by him to the disabled and the disability cause as well as his keenness to consider disability cause as a priority for the state. The Crown Prince expressed sincere wishes for the success of this important international conference. The Crown Prince said "What pleases us is that this gathering is participating in the activities of this Conference and taking a new step in confronting disability. This vital issue is a humanitarian, social and economical concern for the whole world. I call on you to pay attention to this opportunity so that the deliberations and recommendations of the Conference will be at the level of the event. The world today is witnessing an extraordinary phase in the field of science and technology. The opportunities for communication and integration between scientists and specialists are available to them. Unprecedently, they have access to information resources and enjoy financial support. This opportunity gives us the possibility of implementing scientific research that will lead - God willing - to important scientific discoveries that contribute to avoiding and treating disability in addition to helping persons with disabilities to overcome their disability - God willing. The Crown Prince called on the participants to look to the future with ambition and determination; be keen on confronting issues of disability on the basis of advanced scientific research; and keep pace with the latest inventions in the field of care and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. "During the last two decades, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported and established rehabilitation centers, training and educational centers and institutes, and research centers specialized in the field of disability. The Saudi government did not overlook the social and financial aspects that help to alleviate the suffering of people with special needs and their families. We, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, paid attention to the importance of advanced scientific research as it is an activity parallel to the rehabilitation and educational services provided to the persons with disabilities", the Crown Prince said. Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz said that achieving the brighter side of this march is attributed to God and then to cooperation of State agencies, citizens and the private sector which shouldered its responsibilities towards the community. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends a hand of cooperation and integration with all in different parts of the world to reach the noble goals sought by all to serve man and persons with disabilities in particular," the Crown Prince added. The Crown Prince looked forward with confidence to the scientific recommendations to be issued by the conference. The Crown Prince welcomed the guests of the Kingdom, wishing them a pleasant stay and all success. --More
