Qaeda 1431 H. / 12 October 2010, SPA -- Saudi Ministry of Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to establish Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Int'l Program for the Culture of Dialogue and Peace. Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed, Minister of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who is also Chairman of the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture and Science signed on behalf of his country while UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova signed for her organization. Following the signing ceremony, the Saudi minister announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has appropriated $five million at the disposal of the program. Earlier today, Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed addressed the 185th session of UNESCO Executive Council, saying that the Palestinian issue will, unless solved, remain an obstacle before any effort in the Arab world to spread the culture of peace and tolerance. He called on the UNESCO to clearly support the basic rights of Palestinian education, culture and heritage. He said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fully supports the five resolutions issued by the World Legacy Committee in its recent meeting in Brazil calling for the protection of Palestinian culture and heritage. He conveyed the Kingdom's trust and appreciation of the message and mission of the UNESCO to face the challenges before it. Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed was awarded Gandhi medal in recognition of the Kingdom's role in the field of protection of world culture and education as well as the initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz at the international arena and the Kingdom's constitutional role in support of UNESCO.
