United Nations chief Antonio Gutteres to present green award to PM Narendra Modi tomorrow

A week after it was announced in New York, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Gutteres will present the UN Champions of the Earth award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 at the first general assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA).

CK Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest called it a "rare honour" for India and informed that the award is being presented in the policy leadership category for a host of sustainable development initiatives, including formation of the ISA.

Earlier, in 2016, Mumbai-based lawyer Afroz Shah was conferred UN's Champions of the Earth award under the 'Action and Inspiration' category, for initiating the Versova beach clean-up, which was touted as the largest in the world.

"It is a recognition of India's leadership in environment. It is not one thing, it is for the cumulative commitment of the country to sustainable development," Mishra said. The Kochi International Airport too would be conferred the UN award under the 'Entrepreneurial Vision' category.

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Earlier, in 2016, Mumbai-based lawyer Afroz Shah was conferred UN’s Champions of the Earth award under the ‘Action and Inspiration’ category, for initiating the Versova beach clean-up, which was touted as the largest in the world