'Green' Champions honoured with UN environmental prize
22 Apr '06
2 min read
United Nations announces seven environmental leaders, ranging from Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the Soviet Union to an Ethiopian activist for community rights and Iran's first woman vice-president, were awarded the United Nations top environmental prize at a gala ceremony in Singapore.
The Champions of the Earth awards, presented for the second consecutive year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and hosted with the Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Singapore Tourism Board, recognize inspirational environmental leaders from each region of the world who have made an impact at the policy level, UNEP said.
“Each of these seven laureates is a change catalyst. They have mobilized support and pushed the environmental envelope forward at the highest decision-making levels and need to be recognized,” Shafqat Kakakhel, Officer in Charge and Deputy Executive Director of UNEP said.
No monetary reward is attached to the prize and each laureate receives a trophy made of recycled metal designed by the Kenyan sculptor Kioko. The trophy represents the fundamental elements for life on Earth – sun, air, land and water.
The 2006 Champions of the Earth are: Tewolde Gebre Egziabher of Ethiopia, who campaigns for community rights in Africa and against the patenting of life forms. Tommy Koh of Singapore, who chaired the Earth Summit and the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. Mikhail Gorbachevof the Russian Federation, who is prominent in the field of international environmental politics. Rosa Elena Simeon Negrin of Cuba, a champion of small island developing states. The Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), which promotes women's economic, social and gender rights within sustainable development.
marketing@alchempro.com
