Kuwait Launches Initiative to Advance Food Security, Health and Education Development Across Africa

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KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, Dec. 8, 2015/PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

     Kuwait today launched a major initiative to spur sustainable development

across Africa with an annual prize recognizing the best research or development

advances in food security, health and education that contribute to

significantly solving development challenges facing African nations.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151207/293811 )

    Named the 'Al-Sumait Prizes' after the late Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, a

Kuwaiti physician who devoted his life to helping the poor in Africa, the

initiative was endorsed at the first meeting of the Al-Sumait Board of Trustees

in Kuwait.

    Each prize will encompass a sum of one million US dollars, a gold medal and

a certificate of recognition to be awarded annually to individuals or

institutions achieving a significant advance.

    The Board comprises prominent personalities in the field of development in

Africa and renowned philanthropists, including H.E. Sheikh Sabah Khaled

Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation, and Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Former President of the African

Development Bank.

    Commenting, H.E. Sheikh Sabah said the main objective of the Al-Sumait

prize is to promote positive change across Africa, which stems from Kuwait's

goal to raise 'the level of Afro-Arab cooperation at all levels, especially in

humanitarian, development and economic fields'.

    Bill Gates, speaking in Kuwait, said: "Though I never met him, I've learned

through my involvement in the prize about the extraordinary life of the late

Dr. Abdulrahman Al Sumait and how he truly embodies Kuwait's tradition of

generosity and concern for people in need. Through the Al-Sumait Prize, we will

celebrate his life, not just by celebrating his achievements, but also by

discovering the next generation of innovations that will shape a healthier and

more prosperous future for Africa and lift millions out of poverty."

    Dr. Donald Kaberuka said: "Al-Sumait Prize is a recognition and reward for

excellence in human development in Education, Health and Food Security."

    The Al-Sumait Prize Secretariat - the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement

of Sciences (KFAS) - said the 2015 prize would encompass 'Health', while the

2016 prize will be awarded for 'Food Security'.  Both prizes will be presented

to winners at a ceremony during the 4th Arab African Summit in Equatorial

Guinea, November 2016.

    Application forms are available on http://oe.kfas.org.kw/alsumait

    For more information visit http://www.alsumaitprize.org, or contact:

    Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), P. (+965)

22270465, E. info@alsumaitprize.org

SOURCE: Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences