The Kanoo Group attends Sightsavers event as charity supporter

His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan delivers his
opening speech at the UAE Conference on Saving Sight 2014

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Representatives of ‘The Kanoo Group’ together with local and international charitable and humanitarian institutions attended the UAE Conference on Saving Sight as partners and supporters of Sightsavers, held on 30^th April 2014 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Sightsavers International is a group of organisations working with partners to eliminate avoidable blindness and to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people in those living in poverty, in some of the world's poorest countries.

His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, President of Sightsavers UAE and Patron of ‘The UAE Conference on Saving Sight 2014’ delivered his opening speech. 

He paid tribute to Sightsavers International for helping cure millions of eye patients in the world, with the presence of HRH Princess Alexandra, President of Sightsavers and Sir John Major, former UK Prime Minister and Chairman of Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

HRH Princess Alexandra and Sir John Major also addressed the conference.

The organisers of the event led by Mr. Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Director General of Sightsavers Middle East provided exhibition stands for sponsors and supporters as part of the networking opportunity.  

HRH Princess Alexandra addresses the crowd at the
 UAE Conference on Saving Sight 2014

The Kanoo Group's Marketing Department spearheaded by Ali Islim (Manager), together with Victor Maasilamani, Michelle Laylo and Sundar Liwang attended the conference on behalf of The Kanoo Group as one of the event supporters.

HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO visited the exhibitions stands including The Kanoo Group and personally thanked the company for its valuable contributions for Sightsavers charity. 

Dr. Ivo Kocur, an expert in the field of public eye health from World Health Organization, in addition to representatives of organisations and prominent guests also came to see The Kanoo Group stand for its company profile and for details about the philanthropic causes it supports.

With known matchless hospitality, HH Sheikh Nahyan invited all conference participants (more than 60 representatives) for a banquet meal personally hosted by His Highness after the networking event and opening ceremony.

Professor Bon Bundy from World Bank moderated the second part of the sessions with key speakers: Dr. Abdulredha Bahman (Kuwait Fund for Development) and Mr. Ibrahim Al Sugair (Saudi Fund for Development), “The role of international donors; achievements”.

From The Kanoo Group (left to right): Michelle Laylo, Ali Islim, Sundar Liwang, Victor Maasilamani

HRH Princess Alexandra visits The Kanoo Group stand

The conference resumed with various Sight-Saving agenda delivered by renowned speakers: Dr. Ivo Kocur, “Towards universal eye health – a new global effort of WHO member states”; Dr. Caroline Harper (Chief Executive of Sightsavers), “Major challenges in fighting avoidable blindness”; Mr. Simeon Bush (Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Sightsavers), “The blinding neglected by tropical diseases”; and Dr. Kamal Binnawi (Ministry of Health, Sudan), “Overview of eye care in Sudan”. The sessions were moderated by Mr. Abdulla Al-Nuaimi.

See also: The Kanoo Group Sponsors GCC Forum on Avoidable Blindness 

Dr. Harper delivered his closing remarks which concluded with a bright vision for Sightsavers and its sustained advocacy to support avoidable blindness programmes particularly those with trachoma, river blindness and cataract.

About The Kanoo Group

‘The Kanoo Group’ is one of the largest, independent, family-owned groups of companies in the Gulf region established in 1890. It has diversified business industries in shipping, travel, machinery, engineering, logistics, property, oil & gas, power, industrial chemicals, training, joint ventures, retail and commercial activities, among others, and operates extensively throughout Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen and Qatar.

Our Vision
The Leading Family Business in the Region and Beyond

Our Mission 
Delivering Sustainable Excellence

Our Values 
Customer Focused, Ethical, Innovative, Agile, Competent & Intelligent, Collaborative, Accountable

P.O. Box 290, Dubai, UAE. Toll Free: 800 KANOO, Fax: 04-3933636, Websites: www.kanoo.com /www.kanoogroup.com 

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Michelle Laylo Verzola
PR Executive
The Kanoo Group