Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques awarded prize of “World

Davos, January 30, SPA -- 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.