Statement by H.E. Dr. Danilo Türk, former President of the Republic of Slovenia at the 20th KAPF Forum
Kuwait, 22. 12. 2013 | govori
Your Excellency, the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs,
Your Excellency, Secretary General of Kuwait Awqaf Public Foundation,
Scholars and Muftis,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour to be among you today and to deliver the address of the guests of this Forum. It is the annual forum of KAPF which was launched twenty years ago and has changed into an annual tradition which embraces intellectuals, thinkers and people interested in charitable activities in the Arab world and from all other parts of the Globe. We all come to Kuwait for discussion and dialogue.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dialogue has been and continues to be the method advocated by your organization throughout the previous annual forums, in all its events, and in all the activities. Dialogue is the means to produce precious ideas and initiatives which constitute the basis for policy making. In the spirit of this noble tradition, this forum has become an opportunity for exchange of views and experience of the participants and for creation of an understanding necessary for the wise and forward looking policy decisions.
The forum organized by your institution has become a great success. We are grateful for your efforts and for your many contributions to the improvement of humanitarian thinking and humanitarian action throughout the World.
You succeeded to make of this Forum widely known as a symbol of the state of Kuwait. Through this Forum your organization presents the fruits of its efforts to Kuwait and to the humankind at large. It conveys a powerful message of its noble mission of humanitarian cooperation with the governmental and non - governmental bodies.
Today your organization is holding this august meeting under the patronage of his Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. At this forum, your organization will review its experience and contribution since 1993 in terms of the positive and highly respected role at the Arab, regional and international levels. This is recognized in a number of ways, most importantly through the recognition of your contribution to development in many countries. Your generous support which assisted in developing those societies is highly appreciated.
In addition, your organization has made a major contribution by giving generous aid and assistance to the countries affected by disasters and wars. Assistance in the moments of the greatest need is the most precious assistance.
My presence here today is a fruit of the charitable work initiated by your organization towards building a Cultural Islamic Center in Ljubljana, the Capital of Slovenia. This Center will help to preserve the Islamic culture and heritage and will contribute to dialogue, to moderation and to understanding among people. I have no doubt that we shall continue to cooperate successfully in the realization of this important project.
In addition, I am pleased to have the opportunity to meet the distinguished participants at this Forum and many of our dear friends in the state of Kuwait. I am convinced that these meetings will strengthen our common commitment to dialogue, moderation and to our common efforts for a better World. There is no doubt that these meetings will also represent a boost to further cooperation between Slovenia and Kuwait.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to seize this opportunity to share with you our experience in the area of defending human rights and strengthening humanitarian assistance. Four years ago I have launched a project to help the disabled children of Gaza who fell victims to the military operations and mines. More than one hundred children, victims of armed conflict which affected Gaza Strip in 2009 were given specialized and effective assistance with treatment, prosthetics and rehabilitation by the highly specialized experts at the University Rehabilitation Center in Ljubljana, Slovenia. From the start, we have hoped to ease the suffering of those children. We succeeded and were able to help a number of them. But there are still many victims in Gaza who continue to need our assistance. There are many other victims, in particular in Syria and the neighboring countries who need humanitarian assistance and highly specialized medical attention and rehabilitation. Slovenia and its medical specialists are ready to help the victims and assist in training medical personnel in the regions closer to the homes of the victims. Let us continue to cooperate and make this assistance available to as many victims as possible.
And above all, let us add our voice to all those who condemn all violence, all wars and all violations of human rights. Let us reject all incidents violence in Palestine and all violations of international law in Palestine, in the West Bank and everywhere else where violations occur.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honor for me to participate in the events organized in favor of tolerance, understanding, coexistence and human rights.
In my personal capacity and on behalf of all your guests I would like to thank you for your kind invitation. I congratulate you on the occasion of your 20th Anniversary and wish you every success in your important and noble endeavors.
I also wish to extend my gratitude to the Government and the people of Kuwait and to your organization for the kind and generous welcome we were accorded.
Thank you for your attention.
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