(WASHINGTON, DC) - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donated $100 million to the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). The announcement was made tonight in Makkah during King Abdullah’s annual Eid Al-Fitr address following the end of the holy month of Ramadan. 

“I announce the donation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of $100 million to support this center and work for its activation under the umbrella of the United Nations, calling on all other nations to take part in support of this center to get rid of the forces of hatred, extremism and criminality as this is the inevitable duty for whoever sees that terrorism is a demolishing tool that aims at threatening the world security and peace,” said King Abdullah in his speech, which was delivered on his behalf by Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja.

Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir commended the donation, stating, “This tremendous contribution reflects King Abdullah’s commitment and determination to enhance international cooperation to fighting terrorism.”

Under the directives of King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia has forged partnerships with foreign governments and multilateral organizations to protect national security and reinforce counterterrorism strategies.

In 2011, Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the United Nations to create the UNCCT and donated $10 million to its establishment. The initiative for this center was conceived in 2005, when King Abdullah held the Counter-Terrorism International Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The center is located at the UN headquarters in New York City. UNCCT works with experts to discuss counterterrorism related subjects and reinforce current United Nations counterterrorism initiatives.