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29 March 2024

Mohammed confers Zayed environment prize on Lee Myung-bak

The two leaders also discussed trade, tourism and cultural relations

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

The green economy movement has found a champion in the UAE, as a glittering ceremony unveiled the prize winners of the Zayed International Prize for the Environment on Monday, along with reinforcing the country's 2020 vision of utilising sustainable energy sources in daily practices.

The UAE also partnered in a joint initiative with South Korea to host the Asian country's Global Green Growth Institute for the Mena region.

Honouring the winners at the Dubai International Convention Centre with the $1 million in prize money across categories was His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is the patron of the prize.

The star recipient of the night was President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea, who won the Zayed Prize for Global Leadership in Environment.

In a keynote address, the South Korean leader, whose “low-carbon, green growth” intiative of 2008 and his 2010 pledge to invest $36.5 billion over five years in developing renewable energy sources, saw him reinforce his commitment to his country's environmental turn.

He said: “The late Sheikh Zayed was a pioneer and true visionary, launching initiatives that would offer a cleaner sustainable future for the next generation.

“He had a dream. South Korea too has a dream. After suffering from years of colonial rule and war, today it is the world's 7th largest trading country.”

A visibly emotional president added: “When I was young, we got food aid from others to survive. Now we can help others.

“We believed in a dream to make our country prosper and our green metropolis vision does just that."

Other winners present included Sir Partha Dasgupta who won the Zayed Prize for Scientific and Technological Achievements in Environment, while Dr Mathis Wackernagel and Prof Najib Saab from Lebanon shared the Zayed Prize for Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society.

The ceremony was also attended by the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, along with other royals, environment ministers from across the world, heads of regional and international organisations, Gulf dignitaries, in addition to the Jury and Technical Advisory Committee members.

Special publications to mark the occasion were also distributed during the ceremony including a special issue of the Society and Environment Magazine (Arabic and English), an Arabic refereed book on 'Environmental Planning' and the Zayed Prize Nomination Guide for the 6th Cycle.

The establishment of Zayed International Prize for Environment is a government initiative to reflect the UAE leadership's commitment and role in protecting environment and achieving the UN objectives for the third millennium.

A sum of $500,000 for the Zayed Prize for Global Leadership in Environment is given to an individual or organisation with a clear impact on the international policy in protecting environment and achieving sustainable development.

A sum of $300,000 for the Zayed Prize for Scientific and Technological Achievements in Environment is given to an individual or organisation that has a world-known contribution in the scientific search and eco-friendly technology that pushes environment efforts towards success. This reflects the country's commitment to scientific search and clean technology.

And $200,000 for Zayed Prize for Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society is given to a world-known individual or organisation for what he\they have done to promote environment works and change trends and concepts of volunteer work and civil community systems and coordinating among the private sector and government and non-government organisations in terms of balanced economic and environmental development.

 

Mohammed receives Lee Myung-bak

Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed, received at Zabeel Palace on Monday South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and the delegation accompanying him.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the South Korean President, saying the visit would further expand horizons of cooperation between the two countries in the best interest of the two countries and peoples.

Sheikh Mohammed and President Lee Myung-bak exchanged views on a number of economic and investment issues.

The talks also focused on exploring new areas regarding boosting of the trade, tourism and cultural relations.

For his part, the South Korean President expressed his pleasure about the hospitality by the UAE leadership and people, a thing he said has left positive impact on the results of the visit.

Present were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Dubai Ruler; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum President of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group; Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Foreign Trade Minister; Chairperson of Honour Mission accompanying the South Korean President, Dr Rashid bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water and other senior officials. (WAM)