Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Award granted to former UN chief

New York, Sept. 30 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Committee of Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Award for Sustainable Development, has declared that former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has been selected as the winner of prestigious 2018 award, in recognition of his exemplary role in serving humanity, furthering peace and efforts leading to the formulation and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals. On behalf of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed his sincere congratulations to Mr. Ban Ki-moon for winning award, which comes in recognition of his efforts to the formulation of a future development vision that meets people's aspirations for further progress and prosperity.  He explained that the organising committee of the Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Award made their decision after careful consideration on finding no other candidate able to match his extraordinary accomplishments.  The Committee fully recognised Mr. Ki-moon’s remarkable life of service, in his country, the friendly republic of South Korea, or in particular at the United Nations. He pointed out that the Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Award is bestowed and intended to motivate and encourage others, individuals or institutions actively involved in the realisation of Sustainable Development at national, regional or international levels, a criterion he exceeded without exception.  Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness the Prime Minister for his initiatives that support the efforts aimed at the development of societies and achievement of security, peace and coexistence among peoples.  "I have been honoured to serve HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman and learnt a lot from him. He is a wise leader, and our ideal model in life, he said. We learn from his knowledge and expertise and I consider myself very fortunate to have been in service of the nation while being close to His Royal Highness, may God protect him," Shaikh Hussam said. He pointed to the increasing importance that the award has gained as one of the important international initiatives, which reflects the keenness of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister to support and sponsor every effort aimed to serve humanity and achieve sustainable development goals.  "The award also reflects the policy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which is keen on the participation in the efforts of the international community in the field of sustainable development for a world where its people live in stability and prosperity in light of the challenges and tragedies experienced by many regions of the world at present," he also said.  He pointed out that nomination of the former Secretary General of the United Nations for the award comes in continuation of award’s intended goal, which has been keen since its launch in 2008, to support every individual or collective initiative in the field of sustainable development out of the belief of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister in the importance of motivating every action aimed at serving humanity. The award was initiated by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa after the UN Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, which is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all, conferred on him the 2006 Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for his "impressive efforts in lifting the living standards of all Bahrainis through an active focus on poverty alleviation and modernization while preserving the cultural heritage" of his country. Ms. Anna Tibajuka, former Minister of Land, Housing and Human Settlements of the Republic of Tanzania, and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT), was the recipient of the previous version of the Award in 2016. The award was presented during the fourth session of the Fourth World Urban Forum held in Nanjing, China, for the "Green Brigade" project from the Republic of Burkina Faso. His Royal Highness personally welcomed the winning project.  In Mach 2010 the Land and Housing Programme "Foundation's "bento Rbiao" from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, won the award.