FULFILLMENT, BY THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, OF THE MANDATE UNDER THE FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMME FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION

A formal handover event for signed political assurances, hosted by HRH Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, President of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and organized by His Excellency Ambassador Abdulwahab Abdulsalam Attar, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, was held on 13 June 2013. This marked the fulfillment by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the mandate under the Follow-up Programme for Environmental Awards of the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC).

The event was attended by Ambassadors and members of the Governing Council, a delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, delegations from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the UNCC Secretariat.

After opening remarks by HRH Prince Turki and Ambassador Peter Woolcott of Australia, the President of the Governing Council, a signed set of assurances was handed over to the President by HRH Prince Turki. This represents the final step in the process, pursuant to decision 270 (2013), and thereby formally concludes the mandate of the Programme in respect of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, headed by HRH Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, now assumes full oversight of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s environmental projects being implemented with $1.1 billion of funds awarded by the UNCC.

The UNCC Governing Council congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its achievement under the Follow-up Programme for Environmental Awards and for reaching this important milestone and wished HRH Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz well with the ultimate success of the environmental projects.

Further information about the Commission, including the text of Governing Council decisions, can be found on the United Nations Compensation Commission website located at www.uncc.ch.


For use of information media; not an official record

UNCC13/006E