Queen Rania Joins United Nations Foundation Board of Directors

September 21, 2006

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - New York) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah met with Ted Turner, Chairman of the United Nations Foundation (UNF) Board of Directors, Wednesday, to discuss her involvement in the foundation. Queen Rania joined the UNF Board of Directors Sept. 13.

"I'm pleased to join the foundation at this time in history; more than ever before we need the United Nations to respond to some of the world's most complex problems including feeding those displaced by conflict and providing health care to children and families. And the foundation ensures that everyone is aware of the humanitarian work that the UN is doing around the world. Right now this work is especially needed in areas such as Lebanon and Gaza," said Her Majesty Queen Rania.

"Queen Rania is a tireless advocate for improving the lives of the world's children, young adults and women through better access to health care, literacy and economic empowerment opportunities. This level of commitment and the ability to serve as a voice for those who may otherwise be silent is a great complement to the work being done here at the Foundation," said Ted Turner, Chairman of the United Nations Foundation Board of Directors. "We welcome her to the team."

"By lending her voice and expertise to our work on children's health care and promoting the role of technology in helping relief workers respond to disasters and humanitarian crisis, Her Majesty will help us focus attention on those who are most in need," said Timothy E. Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation. "By joining our Board, she will help us -- and our partners -- make sure the world's most vulnerable people are taken care of."

Her Majesty also met with Jan Egeland, United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to discuss the humanitarian situation and relief efforts in Lebanon and well as the current conflicts in Gaza. In July, Egeland launched a $100 million US aid appeal for Lebanon of which the UN has secured over 95 percent from donor countries.