French government grants the Golden Medal to businessman Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber

The ceremony took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and was attended by ambassadors of the UNESCO, ambassadors from around the world in France, in addition to other prominent business and cultural personalities.

During the ceremony, Mohamed Bin Hamad Al Dubian, permanent delegate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to UNESCO welcomed the French Minister and hailed all the efforts that the French Government is undertaking to strengthen the relations between Saudi Arabia and France. He clearly expressed his gratitude to the French Government in granting a Saudi citizen this fine recognition assuring that the example that Sheikh Mohamed has set in doing successful business was well recognized. Al Dubian concluded his speech by recognizing the important role that Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber plays at the UNESCO.

Mr. Leon Bertrand, representing French President Jacques Chirac and the French Government, decorated Sheikh Mohamed with the Golden Medal and said that Sheikh Al Jaber is one of the pillars of the hotel industry in France and the world, and that the excellent management of his hotels - 36 in France - led to the creation of jobs in this sector, earning him this fine decoration. He also praised Sheikh Al Jaber for his enormous accomplishments in the field of tourism, his charitable contributions, as well as his educational support, clearly voicing the important role he is playing within the UNESCO. He concluded saying: " It is but an honor for me to link this fine decoration of Sheikh Al Jaber with his enormous commitment to peace and tolerance, because I think that tourism plays an important role in the achievement of peace."

In his speech, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber thanked French President Jacques Chirac and the French Government represented by Mr. Leon Bertrand for granting him the Golden Medal, as he considers it an honor not only to himself but to all the Arabs of the world. His primary objective is to support and encourage all Arab citizens by providing them with cultural and educational opportunities especially in the field of hotel business education that will soon be available. Sheikh Mohamed assured that investing in the field of tourism, hotel business, and cultural tourism is not a mere job but a clear action in the dialogue between different cultures.

Sheikh Al Jaber is the owner of MBI International and Partners, comprising of JJW Hotels and Resorts which operates in the hospitality industry. JJW Hotels and Resorts comprises of the ownership and management of hotels and resorts in strategic locations throughout Europe and the Middle East. The company was established in France and Portugal in the early eighties and has witnessed significant growth over the years, with 75 hotels highly ranked in glamorous cities such as Nice, Paris, Vienna and London.

In addition to JJW Hotels and Resorts, the MBI International and Partners comprises of "AJWA" Group for Food Industries, which is one of the largest agribusinesses in the Middle East, and "Jadawel International", which is a major real estate development company that owns and operates exclusive luxury residential compounds in the region.

H.E. Sheikh Al Jaber has become, through his outstanding achievements, one of the most prominent Arab figures and has proven to be an exemplary leader for new generations. His fortitude and hard work is a catalyst for growth and advancement in the Arab world. Al Jaber's achievements set the path for other Arab individuals from around the world to grasp their potential and strive to reach the highest standards of progress.