Crown Prince Sultan thanks King Abdullah for his care to disabled persons

Moroccan monarch congratulates Prince Sultan over successful treatment, U.S. vice president conveys Obama's congratulations, wishes for speedy recovery

Crown Prince praises efforts by World Center for Support of the Prophet

U.S. newspaper lauds Khalid bin Sultan Foundation's efforts to preserve marine life

Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, the Acting Governor of Riyadh Region reiterated Monday on the importance of the 3rd International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation.

In a press statement following the opening of the Conference on behalf of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Prince Sattam expressed his sincere wishes to all participants and success and progress for all persons with disabilities.

On his part, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, hoped that the findings and recommendations of the conference would be in conformity with the level of responsibility and challenges.

As regards an amount of SR 50 million to support Disability Research announced recently, Prince Sultan bin Salman said that this is one of the agreements signed by the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Jeddah, several months ago in the presence of the Crown Prince, adding that it has started a number of researches, including a research on stem cells.

He disclosed that the Center is working on the preparation of a specialized program which will be called Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz program for advanced researches based on generous grant provided by the Crown Prince (SR Ten million a year), indicating that the center has received some philanthropists to provide annual grants in supporting this program.

Prince Salman Center for Disability Research has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education last year and that they have begun to implement the agreement and is sending the first batch for the program of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for foreign scholarships for 100 students with disabilities.

The event was concluded in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday.

Delegations of 30 countries participated in the conference by presenting more than 180 papers and taking part in more than 22 workshops.

Prince Sultan had apologized to the participants for not being able to attend and participate with them in the conference.

The speech of the Crown Prince was delivered on his behalf by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Chairman of Board of Directors of Disabled Children's Association and the General Supervisor of the Conference.

The Crown Prince thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for the continued care given by him to the disabled and the disability cause as well as his keenness to consider disability cause as a priority for the state. The Crown Prince expressed sincere wishes for the success of this important international conference.

The Crown Prince said "What pleases us is that this gathering is participating in the activities of this Conference and taking a new step in confronting disability. This vital issue is a humanitarian, social and economical concern for the whole world. I call on you to pay attention to this opportunity so that the deliberations and recommendations of the Conference will be at the level of the event. The world today is witnessing an extraordinary phase in the field of science and technology. The opportunities for communication and integration between scientists and specialists are available to them. For the first time, they have access to information resources and enjoy financial support. This opportunity gives us the possibility of implementing scientific research that will lead - God willing - to important scientific discoveries that contribute to avoiding and treating disability in addition to helping persons with disabilities to overcome their disability - God willing.

The Crown Prince called on the participants to look to the future with ambition and determination; be keen on confronting issues of disability on the basis of advanced scientific research; and keep pace with the latest inventions in the field of care and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities.

"During the last two decades, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported and established rehabilitation centers, training and educational centers and institutes, and research centers specialized in the field of disability. The Saudi government did not overlook the social and financial aspects that help to alleviate the suffering of people with special needs and their families. We, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, paid attention to the importance of advanced scientific research as it is an activity parallel to the rehabilitation and educational services provided to the persons with disabilities", the Crown Prince said.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz said that achieving the brighter side of this march is attributed to God and then to cooperation of State agencies, citizens and the private sector which shouldered its responsibilities towards the community. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends a hand of cooperation and integration with all in different parts of the world to reach the noble goals sought by all to serve man and persons with disabilities in particular," the Crown Prince added.

The Crown Prince looked forward with confidence to the scientific recommendations to be issued by the conference.

The Crown Prince welcomed the guests of the Kingdom, wishing them a pleasant stay and all success.

On the other hand, Prince Sultan received a message from King Mohammed VI, of Morocco.

The message was delivered by Prince Moulay Rashid, son of the late Hassan II, during a meeting with the Crown Prince at his residence in New York City Friday evening.

In his message to the Crown Prince, King Mohammed VI said 'we have followed with great satisfaction the gratifying trends in your good health and thanks Allah very much for your safety'.

The Moroccan King also said "I have been extremely pleased with the results of medical tests and treatments Your Highness have undertaken, which have proved to be gratifying and satisfying - thanks Allah Almighty so that you may continuously proceed ahead with the successful tasks entrusted upon you as you have been always known for your nobility, magnanimity and dedication as well as for your constant support to my brother - the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, may Allah Almighty protect him and prolong his life in his wise leadership of the Saudi people in order to achieve further progress and overall development as well as bring about pride, dignity and prosperity'.

In his message to the Crown Prince, the Moroccan King said "I wish and desire to reiterate to Your Highness the feelings of profound joy for your health, and I ask Allah Al-mighty to grant and bless you with the overall well-being, happiness and contentment, keep you as the generous brother we are all proud of and we celebrate with honor the strong ties of brotherhood and genuine friendship we do enjoy'.

The crown prince has also received a cable from U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden in which he conveyed to the Crown Prince the greetings of U.S. President Barack Obama and their best wishes of a quick recovery for the Crown Prince.

In his cable, the U.S. Vice President said, "You have had many friends and admirers in the United States of America as well as in the administration of President Barack Obama who appreciates your role in building and maintaining close partnership between the United States of America and Saudi Arabia."

He pointed out that in the interest of the two countries and peace and security in the Middle East and the world, this partnership should be strengthened and deepened in the coming years, looking forward to working with the Crown Prince to achieve this objective.

The U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden said, "We appreciate the blessing of life and health bestowed by God upon all of us and I wish you many years full of happiness and health surrounded by those whom you love."

In a reply cable to U.S. Vice President, the Crown Prince expressed his thanks to and appreciation of U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. Vice President for their noble and sincere sentiments and wishes of a quick recovery for the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince said," I would like to express my thanks to His Excellency, the President and You, for your noble and sincere sentiments. I wish that you convey my best greetings to His Excellency and thanks for a warm welcome accorded to us in your friendly country."

The Crown Prince expressed his pride in working with the U.S. Vice President and all friends in the U.S. administration for the interest of the two friendly countries and their peoples, expressing his best wishes of permanent good health for all.

Prince Sultan had received a cable from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing a speedy recovery and permanent good health for the Crown Prince.

In her cable, the U.S. Secretary of State said, "I look forward to working with you as soon as possible to strengthen the strong partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America."

In a reply cable, the Crown Prince expressed his thanks to the U.S. Secretary of State for her sincere sentiments and best wishes.

The Crown Prince said," We look forward to working together for the interest of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America and their peoples", wishing success for all.

On the other hand, the U.S. newspaper Los Angles Times has highlighted the efforts being exerted by Prince Khalid bin Sultan for the conservation of the wildlife, and said "Khalid bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation" has been playing a significant role as regards conservation of the maritime life in various parts of the world.

The paper noted the initiative of Prince Khalid as regards the exploratory mission for conservation of coral reefs which is financed by the Foundation.

This mission aims at evaluating coral reefs and maritime life, said the paper noting that the mission includes a number of scientists from various parts of the world.

It is worth mentioning that the scientific team will start its works next year aboard a ship provided with the most sophisticated scientific equipment.

The mission will visit Farsan islands in the Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.