Former Prime Minister of Norway, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, yesterday received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Zayed Future Energy Prize at an awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Brundtland, Deputy Chair of The Elders and Vice Chair of the United Nations Foundation, was recognised for her lifelong dedication to furthering the cause of sustainability and her steadfast advocacy of sustainable development.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize is the UAE’s international award that recognises and empowers pioneers in renewable energy and sustainability. The prize is part of the UAEs vision and commitment to finding solutions that will meet the challenges of climate change, energy security and the environment.
The Large Corporation category prize was awarded to Chinese electric vehicles manufacturer BYD.
Tanzanian energy access business Off.Grid.Electric was the winner in the Small and Medium Enterprise category, while Indonesian non-profit organisation Kopernik was announced as the winner in the Non-Profit Organisation category. Joining them were five schools spanning five regions of the globe, who were the winners in the Global High Schools category.
In attendance at the awards ceremony were His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and seven heads of state.
Accepting the award, Dr. Brundtland said: “I am greatly honoured and moved to be receiving this prestigious award from the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is an inspiration to all who aspire to find solutions to the world’s common challenges around the sustainable, equitable and secure access to energy and water.”
