UN Chief confers 'Champions of the Earth' Award to PM Narendra Modi

In his address, the Prime Minister said that the award is for all those unknown faces, who work in far-flung settlements, mountainous regions, tribal areas for years.

The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, was today conferred the Champions of the Earth Award for Policy Leadership by UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres at a ceremony at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, here today. Executive Director, UN Environment, Mr Erik Solheim, Union Minister for External Affairs, Ms Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr Mahesh Sharma, were present on the occasion.

In his address, the Prime Minister said that the award is for all those unknown faces, who work in far-flung settlements, mountainous regions, tribal areas for years.  He emphasized that the award is an honour for India’s continual, new, eternal and ancient tradition and is the reflection of our commitment to sustainable energy. He also congratulated the other laureates of the award in other categories. Mr Modi underlined that climate and calamity have a direct relationship with culture and till the concerns over climate become a part of the culture, it will be difficult to escape calamities. Stating that India’s sensitivity towards the environment is today being acknowledged the world over, Mr Modi underlined that in India, nature has been considered a living entity as well as a being that co-exists. He referred to the Clean Air campaign to sensitise ground-level functionaries and the general public to enforce the habit of environmental protection.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-General, United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres said, “today we recognise a statesman, who embodies the true meaning of leadership.” Mr Guterres praised the sensitivity towards nature and environment being a part of Indian tradition. “I must confess that the impact of Prime Minister Modi’s decisions has already reached the executive office of the United Nations. Prime Minister Modi decided that India should restrict the use of single-use plastic in less than five years. In the office of the United Nations, I have decided that there is no single use of plastic”, the UN Secretary-General said. He said that climate action is the right approach from the point of view of environment, economy and development.

In his remarks, Executive Director, UN Environment, Mr Erik Solheim stressed that the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, has been providing political leadership, vision and dedication that is lacking in the world. Mr Solheim praised India’s efforts for increase in the number of tigers, increase in forest area and in the field of solar energy.  “It is ambitious leaders like him that will propel us forward in the fight to keep our natural environment healthy, accessible and sustainable for all. For this, I am immensely inspired and grateful”, Mr Solheim said.  “Prime Minister Modi has shown the kind of leadership and ambition our planet needs right now. There is the bold pledge to end single-use plastic in five years’ time, something that could well be the start of a global wave of action that saves our oceans. India is leading the world into a solar-powered future, proving that a clean, low-carbon economy is also great for business. Our planet needs more champions like him”, he added. 

Champions of the Earth is the highest UN honour in the field of environment.  The award recognizes outstanding figures from the public and private sector as well as civil society, whose actions have brought about a positive impact and a transformation on the environment.  The Champions of the Earth award was launched in 2005.  The award is presented in five categories – Lifetime Achievement, Policy Leadership, Action and Inspiration, Entrepreneurial Vision and Science & Innovation.  Since its inception thirteen years ago, the awards have recognized 84 laureates. 

(With inputs from PIB)