UNESCO honours Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed with Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize

Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed has been awarded Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize for Peace by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for his commendable work in pursuit of peace. The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize for Peace has awarded over 20 world figures since 1991.

Ethiopian leader Abiy Ahmed has given all his endeavours to end hostilities with the neighbouring country Eritrea, the UNESCO said on May 2. The Jury met on April 29 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, during which it picked the Ethiopian Prime Minister as the laureate of the 2019 edition of the prize, which will mark the 30th anniversary of its inception.

"The jury recognizes the laureate's worthiness for the reforms undertaken to consolidate democracy and social cohesion (and) ... considers this distinction as an encouragement to pursue his commitment to the promotion of a culture of peace in the region and across the African continent," the Paris-based UN body said in a press release.

The jury, which includes former French president Francois Hollande and Noble Peace laureates Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former head of state of Liberia, and Bangladesh's professor Muhammad Yunus, met on Monday at UNESCO headquarters to designate the laureate of the 2019 edition of the prize, which will mark the 30th anniversary of its inception, Xinhuanet reported.

Created in 1989, Felix-Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize aimed at paying tribute to efforts made either by individuals or institutions to promote and restore peace in conformity with UNESCO charter.

UNESCO awards Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize for Peace for his commendable work in pursuit of peace. #PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/STwdlAmJsW

— Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) May 2, 2019

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