Ban Lauds Saudi Role in Fighting Terrorism
Image Caption: Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, arrived in US on Monday to attend the 71st annual session of the UN General Assembly. The Crown Prince was received at JFK Airport in New York by Saudi Ambassador to US Prince Abdullah Bin Faisal Bin Turki, a number of princes, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to UN Ambassador Abdullah Al-Moallemi; Saudi attaches in the US, and Saudi embassy staff members. — SPA
New York — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, arrived here early Monday to attend the 71st annual session of the UN General Assembly.
The 71st session features a rich agenda, including the election of a new president for the General Assembly, a new secretary general for the United Nations, and issues related to refugees and migrants, climate change, international struggles and disputes, as well as sustainable development goals.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon lauded Saudi Arabia’s efforts in fighting terrorism.
In comments to the Saudi Press Agency on the sidelines of the General Assembly meetings, UN Secretary General Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said that Saudi efforts to face terrorism were highly appreciated.
Replying to a question about the impression of the UN chief on the Kingdom’s efforts to support international counter-terrorism activities, Haq said that Ban appreciates the contributions made by the Kingdom to support UN efforts in fighting terrorism, including the funding of the UN counter-terrorism center.
In September 2006, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution denouncing all kinds of terrorism and announced a comprehensive strategy to fight this phenomenon.
In this context, the UN welcomed the idea of late King Abdullah to establish an international specialized center to combat terrorism.
The Kingdom has greatly supported the project until its opening in 2011. It has also offered more than $110 million to fund the center.
Haq said that the UN secretary general was hoping that UN member states would achieve progress in implementing sustainable development goals.
It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the UN Development Program has reached around $180 million over the last five years. — Agencies
(Source: SaudiGazette.com.sa)