Future Perfect

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Sustainability programmes recognized by

Zayed International Prize for the Environment

Meshgan Al Awar, Secretary General, Zayed International Prize for the Environment

ittle effort or resource was spared in the quest for sustain-

able development under the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan

Al Nahyan, father and former President of the United

Arab Emirates (UAE). To preserve and develop the environment

for future generations of his country and worldwide, he adopted

the concept of what has become known over the past 50 years as

sustainable development.

In line with this vision and philosophy and to recognize and promote

major pioneering contributions in the field of the environment and

sustainable development, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid

Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,

established the biennial US$1 million Zayed International Prize for the

Environment (Zayed Prize) in 1999.

Global initiatives such as Agenda 21, the Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs) and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation for

Sustainable Development are supported by the Zayed Prize, which,

through the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO),

has consultative status with the United Nations.

Sustainable development drives prizewinner selection

Award winners are chosen by two international selection committees

(Technical Advisory Committee and International Jury), based on three

categories:

• World leadership in the environment and sustainable development

• Scientific/technological achievements in the environment

• Environmental action leading to positive change in society

Stringent selection criteria means recipients must have

advanced the cause of the environment and its contri-

bution to sustained development, mobilized both

regional and global efforts towards addressing sustain-

able development issues, successfully solved a major

environmental problem, or accomplished sustained envi-

ronmental improvement for a period of time.

Global leadership in Environment and Sustainable

Development

Former United States of America President Jimmy Carter

was recognized for his futuristic vision and concern for

humanity, both as president and statesman. The Global

2000 initiative during his presidency indicates his concern

for globalization, particularly in developing countries. His

peace initiatives and work to improve conditions in human

settlements, as well as his campaigns against poverty and

the eradication of the Guinea worm in Africa, have gained

the respect and admiration of the world community. The

Jury considered that these achievements had made a major

contribution to environmental protection in develop-

ing countries and also felt that President Carter upheld

human dignity and the right to a decent livelihood, good

health and development in peace, and that his concern for

humanity and his vision met the objectives of the Zayed

International Prize for the Environment.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was

awarded the Zayed Prize in 2004 in recognition of the fact

that, in a media-dominated world, it is not just statesmen

and women who drive awareness and change, but also the

world’s broadcasters and newspapers.

The media organization stands apart for its commit-

ment, range of coverage, and dedication to addressing

global, regional and national environmental concerns, with

coverage cutting across all networks and programmes. Its

commitment to environmental issues has been demon-

strated at home through the organization’s own sustainable

development strategy, which is aimed at reducing energy

consumption and waste in its day-to-day operations. The

BBC not only broadcast and reported in depth on the 2002

World Summit on Sustainable Development (UNWSSD)

but was applauded for its United Nations Conference on

Environment and Development (UNCED) debate, which

was co-produced with United States and South African

television partners. A key commitment was the five-times-

a-week broadcast of the Earth Report series, which has

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H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister

and Ruler of Dubai, awarding President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea

Image: Zayed International Prize for the Environment