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29 March 2024

Mohammed honours winners of Zayed International Prize for the Environment

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By Wam

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured winners of the 6th edition of the Zayed International Prize for the Environment in Dubai on Wednesday.

The event was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

Major General Dr. Mohammed Ahmed bin Fahad, Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Zayed International Foundation for Environment, welcomed the audience, noting that the UAE, led by the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, contributes effectively to implementation of the green economy policy and innovative solutions for sustainable development in line with the UAE vision 2021.

He referred to the UAE's winning of the bid to host Dubai Expo 2020, whose logo is attached to the environment, adding that the prize is one of the most important international initiatives that backs green development.

Dr. Klaus Toepfer, jury chairman of the Zayed International Prize for Environment, congratulated the UAE on winning the bid to host Expo 2020 in Dubai, deeming it a deserved win as delegates to the expo will learn a lesson from Dubai green economy, protection of environment, success story in sustainable development and green buildings.

For his part, Prince Albert II of Monaco, who was named the global winner of the prestigious Zayed award, congratulated Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on winning the bid to host expo 2020, commending the initiatives and sponsorship of Sheikh Mohammed to the Zayed International Prize for Environment.

He also thanked the chairman and members of the higher committee of the prize, jury and team work for their efforts to introduce the prize and its objectives, as well as the transparency being exercised in selection of winners.

Sheikh Mohammed honoured the winners, including Prince Albert II, Dr. Ashok Khosla of India and Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid of Malaysia as winners in the areas of environment regarding the scientific and technological achievements. The Vice President also honoured Paula Caballero Gomez, Director of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs at Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Luc Hoffmann, the renowned Swiss ornithologist, winners of the prize in areas of environmental achievements.

Sheikh Mohammed greeted the winners, wishing them more successes in protecting the environment, ensuring public health and spreading the culture of green buildings to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The Zayed International Prize for Environment, worth $1 million in prize money, is divided equally among the five categories.

Mohammed launches Arabic language award

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic Language Award on Wednesday.

The award aims to encourage exceptional contributions in serving the Arabic language and honouring its patrons besides highlighting successful and outstanding experiences in disseminating and educating the Arabic language.

On the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed said, "The language of the Qur'an is protected by Allah, and our goal behind launching this award is to serve it and contribute to its dissemination."

He added, "To contribute to the preservation of the Arabic language through honouring its pioneers and distinguished persons consolidates our identity and preserves our heritage, our thinking and our culture, and is protection for our new generations from losing the most important cultural, educational and linguistic tool we possess."

Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic Language Award includes five branches, whereby outstanding initiatives will be honoured along with the exceptional contributions to support the Arabic language in the areas of education, media, Arabisation, technology, preservation and dissemination of the Arab linguistic heritage.

The prize includes 10 categories to be honoured on an annual basis and aims to reinforce the status of the UAE, and its leading position as a centre of excellence for the Arabic language, promote its usage in public life and to facilitate its learning and teaching.

It also affirmed the keenness of Sheikh Mohammed to celebrate the Arabic language by honouring its researchers and professionals, whether they are individuals or institutions.

The winning institutions and individuals will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of prominent figures in the Arab world, where the committee is chaired by Farouk Shousha, Secretary-General of Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic Language Award, and Secretary-General of the Arabic Language Academy in Cairo, in addition to other members.