Statement by H.E. Mr Peter Thomson, President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly, at the Presentation ceremony of the “H.R.H. Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Sustainable Development Award”
23 September 2016
©ĢƵ Photo/ Ariana Lindquist
H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain,
Honorable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here with you for the presentation of the H.R.H. Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Sustainable Development Award.
And I thank his Excellency for inviting me to say a few words.
I join in congratulating you, Professor Anna Tibaijuka, for your dedication and contribution to urban and sustainable development.
As I have been meeting with world leaders this week, I have been highlighting the urgent need for a universal push to implement all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
I have also been emphasizing the importance of partnership and innovative approaches to implementing the SDG’s.
Today’s Award recognizes Professor Tibaijuka’s initiative, creativity, and leadership in sustainable development, and the inspiration she brings to others.
Professor Tibaijuka – your work over the years has improved the lives of so many, and your experiences are extremely valuable to the international community as we look to ramp up implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
I hope that you will remain engaged with the ĢƵ and continue to share your wisdom with us.
I would also like to congratulate the Kingdom of Bahrain for its vision in the creation of this Award. It helps raise the profile of the 2030 Agenda and in particular SDG 11,.
We should all look for ways to take the message of the 2030 Agenda to every country, every region, and every person, to ensure that no one is left behind.
I am looking forward to continuing to work with you all throughout the 71st session and to seeing many of you at Habitat III in Quito next month.