The ceremony took place during a charity party sponsored by the Princess, and held under the patronage of president Nicholas Sarkozy for the Association pour la Vie-Espoir contre  le Cancer (AVEC).

    The award comes in recognition of the untiring action of the Princess, head of the Lalla Salma Association to Fight Cancer.

    The Charter of Paris was formed in February 2000 under the auspices of M. Jacques Chirac, ex-president of France, and initiated by David Khayat, president of the National Institute of Cancer in France, at the World Summit Against Cancer in Paris.

    The charter was originally signed by 100 leading officials representing government, patient advocacy, cancer research organizations, and corporations throughout the world.

    It aims to bring world and medical leaders together in the fight against cancer.

    Professor Khayat paid tribute to the Princess for her “unwavering commitment” to making the Moroccan society “show stronger solidarity in the battle for life.”

    He said the Princess’ commitment made it possible “to place Morocco in a high level in the fight against cancer” and “to facilitate “the poor’s access to treatment and medicine to allow them an opportunity to recover” from this terrible disease.