The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received at his palace in Riyadh on Monday United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director General Irina Bokova and an accompanying delegation comprised of ambassadors to UNESCO representing Palestine, Germany, Brazil, Poland, France and Zimbabwe. During the audience, Bokova awarded King Abdullah with the UNESCO Gold Medal, the organization’s most prestigious award, in recognition of his efforts in enhancing the culture of dialogue and peace. In particular, she noted his sponsorship of several international conferences, as well as the establishment of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Program for Enhancing the Culture of Dialogue and Peace. She also expressed appreciation for the Saudi monarch’s support of UNESCO’s activities. King Abdullah thanked the delegation and wished UNESCO more success in its efforts to promote education, culture and science around the world.

The audience was attended by Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Defense Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz; Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal; Chief of General Intelligence Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Education Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed; Commander of the National Guard Prince Meteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz; Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Khalid Al-Sibaiti; and Saudi Permanent Representative to UNESCO Dr. Ziad Al-Darees.