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HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein Of Jordan Designated as United Nations Messengers of Peace by United Nations Secretary-General

On the International Day of Peace, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon honored Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan, by designating her as United Nations Messengers of Peace. Along with six other Messengers of Peace - individuals who possess widely recognized talents in the fields of art, literature, music and sports, she in helping to raise worldwide awareness of the ideals and activities of the United Nations. As a Messenger of Peace, Princess Haya will dedicate her efforts to helping raise global awareness of the Millennium Development Goals, including the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.

Princess Haya's commitment to humanitarian causes is reflected in her service as a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Programme from 2005 to 2007, and her travels to Malawi and Ethiopia which were designed to draw attention to hunger and the impact of hunger on both countries.

The first Arab woman to compete in equestrian events at the continental, world and Olympic levels, Princess Haya is currently the president of the International Equestrian Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee. She works on promoting health, education and sports issues among youth in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Princess Haya chairs the Board of Directors of the International Humanitarian City (IHC) - a global humanitarian and aid hub located in an independent, free zone authority created by the Government of Dubai. IHC aims to facilitate aid and development efforts by providing local and international humanitarian representatiives with facilities and services specifically designed to meet their needs.

The Secretary-General has recognized Princess Haya's personal commitment to humanitarian work. "I know you will make a compelling advocate for our shared goal of ending the suffering of the more than one billion people in the world who continue to live in extreme poverty," he said.

The daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, Princess Haya now resides in Dubai with her husband, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai.

Consenting to serve as a Messenger of Peace, Princess Haya said that she was honoured to accept this responsibility. Referring to her work with the first ever food aid organization in the Arab world, "Tkiyet Um Ali" in Jordan, conceived by her late mother Queen Alia and realized after her death by her daughter, Princess Haya said, "I consider it my inherited duty to help relieve the plight of people who suffer the devastating effects of poverty."

The Secretary General announced the designation of three other Messengers of peace along side Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein:

. Midori Goto, the Japanese-American virtuoso violinist
. Daniel Barenboim, acclaimed conductor and pianist
. Paulo Coelho, world famous author and recipient of many literary global awards

The other Messengers of Peace and their areas of focus are:

. Jane Goodall, the environment
. Michael Douglas, disarmament and peace and security
. Yo-Yo Ma, youth
. Elie Wiesel, human rights.

Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was a Messenger of Peace for nearly a decade before his death in Modena, Italy, on September 6, 2007. Mr. Douglas, Ms. Goodall and Mr. Wiesel attended the International Day of Peace Observance.

For further information, contact:
Raeda Sarayreh
Communications Manager, Office of HRH Princes Haya Bint Al Hussein
Email: r.alsarayreh@hrhoffice.ae
Mobile: +971 505510865
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   Ms. Raeda Sarayreh
   Comunications Manager
   Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan 
   Dubai,    Dubai,    111888
   United Arab Emirates
   971 4 3292333 (phone)
   971 4 3292555 (fax)
   r.alsarayreh@hrhoffice.ae
   www.princesshaya.org