HH Sheikha Moza Attends 4th ROTA Gala Dinner

Doha, December 12 (QNA) - HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) attended this evening the 4th Gala Dinner of Reach Out to Asia ( Rota ) at the Cultural Village (Katara ), in the presence of President Heinz Fische of the Republic of Austria and his wife Mrs. Margit Fischer. The ceremony was attended by HE Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Administrative Control and transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah. The event was attended also by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and his wife Princess Amira Al Taweel along with a number of their excellencies Sheikhs, ministers, and guests including Arab and international VIP interested in the field of social work and philanthropy. During the ceremony, HE Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah was honoured on the occasion of being awarded the ROTA "lifetime achievement prize" presented by Reach Out To Asia charity to one of the leading and distinguished figures. Addressing the event, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson, Reach Out To Asia, extended thanks to all for joining here this evening at the magnificent Katara Cultural Village. By finding time in your busy schedules to attend our fundraising Gala Dinner, you are showing your support for ROTA s crucial education and humanitarian work that is improving the lives of millions of children across Asia, she said. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that one of the traditions at our Gala Dinner is to present a distinguished figure with ROTA s Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honours an individual who has made significant fundamental contributions to society, either through a single scientific discovery or a body of work, she added saying that these contributions, whether they have been in business, government or the development of society, must have had a lasting impact on different communities and the individual must have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to improving the lives of others. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said : This year we are proud to present the ROTA Lifetime Achievement Award to a fellow Qatari - a man who has made a significant contribution to the progress of our nation - a role model whose determination to succeed has made him an inspiration to many. The ROTA Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to HE Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyha, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Administartive Control and Transparency Authority. From his first position with the Ministry of Finance and Petroleum in 1972 through to his time as Minister of Industry and Energy - His Excellency has served Qatar with distinction and pride for 38 years. He led Qatar Petroleum and its many sister companies in the development of Qatar's natural resources - establishing our nation as a major player in the world energy markets, and Doha as one of the foremost energy capitals of the world, she added. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said : "Without his loyalty to HH the Emir, to the vision of the nation -- we would not be witnessing the development today. It would have been impossible to realize our dreams if it was not for his dedication and efforts on behalf of the people of Qatar". She said : " Our theme tonight is sports and unity -- how sports can inspire peace, friendship, understanding, social cohesion, how sport is an ideology everyone can practice. Thanks to the policies you implemented, wealth and prosperity has come to Qatar - allowing our leadership under the guidance of His Highness the Emir to invest our wealth in sports infrastructure and development, creating a sporting legacy that will benefit Qataris and the Arab world for generations". Sheikha Al Mayassa said that this time last year, Qatar was awarded the FIFA World Cup 2022, this year we are hosting the Doha Arab Games - the latest sporting landmark in our nation s vision to promote and support the development of athletes of all nations. Qatar is also bidding for the Olympic Games. These successes, she said have not happened by chance. Without the focused efforts and visionary economic and social policies implemented by our government - a government in which you have played a key role - Qatar would not have been able to achieve its sporting goals. And we would never have witnessed the transformation of Qatar into a modern, urban state where living standards are amongst the highest in the world, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa underlined. She said on the sports field as well as in government, success depends on a team working together. However, every team needs a captain -- and Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiya has proved himself to be a great captain of Qatar's