UAE Ambassador to US attends launching of Foundation for Afghanistan

Washington, D.C., Sept 16, 2012 (WAM) - : UAE Ambassador in Washington Yousef Al Otaiba, attended Wednesday a ceremony to launch the Foundation for Afghanistan. Attending as guest of honour a luncheon hosted to officially declare the commencement of the Foundation's activities, Otaiba, who is revered as one of the earlier and strongest supporters of the educational process and gender equality in Afghanistan, also received Queen Soraya of Afghanistan Prize for his efforts in this regard. Queen Soraya is remembered as the woman who paved way for women to get access to equal rights and education in the last century. Otaiba received the prize in the presence of Former Afghan Ambassador to US and the founder of the Foundation for Afghanistan Said Tayeb Jawad. A large number of former and current US officials and members of various organisations supporting Afghanistan also attended the reception. Expressing his happiness in receiving the prize on behalf of the country, Otaiba said that the UAE realised the need to change the impoverished state and lack of education brought about by decades of strife in Afghanistan. Considering the urgency of the need in 2003, UAE pledged its assistance to support reconstruction of Afghanistan through humanitarian and military aid. Since the last ten years UAE continues to fulfil its commitment along with a number of Emirati charity organisations, Otaiba noted. – Emirates News Agency, WAM