The United Nations Association of New York Hosts 2008 Annual Humanitarian Awards Gala Dinner
Annual event to focus on UN Millennium Development Goals and highlight environmental sustainability by honoring efforts to address global climate change
NEW YORK, October 1, 2008 – The United Nations Association of New
York (UNA-NY) has announced it will host the 2008 Annual Humanitarian Awards
Gala Dinner on Thursday, October 23, 2008 to celebrate UN Day and honor
the efforts of individuals and corporations seeking to combat global warming.
This year's event is themed around “Climate Change – A Call
for Action.” Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland and Mr. Sadayuki Sakakibara,
President of Toray Industries, Inc. will be honored for their work to address
the impact of global climate change. Among other effects, global warming
exacerbates hurricanes, droughts, floods and other erratic weather patterns
that dramatically increase political, economic and social tension.
"Climate change is not a theoretical issue to be debated exclusively in
scientific circles. It is a very real problem that all countries must respond
to through bold and decisive engagement," said Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General
of the United Nations. "The UNA-NY, with its ability to educate,
inspire and mobilize the New York City community in support of the principles
and priorities of the United Nations, is making a significant contribution to
both individual and international efforts to address this pressing global challenge."
"We are delighted to receive this award from the United Nations Association
of New York and are pleased to join efforts to alleviate the difficulties
associated with climate change," said Sadayuki Sakakibara, President of
Toray Industries. "Global
environmental issues are reaching a point of no return. We are striving
to create resolutions through innovative ideas, technologies and products
together with the United Nations in business areas such as secure water supply
and the conservation of resources and energy."
The 2008 event will also raise funds
for the UNA-NY Worldview Institute, a corporate executive forum for young
leaders that fosters greater understanding of political, economic and social
issues around the world.
Sponsors include IBM, Dupont and Alcoa,
Inc. Past UNA-NY Humanitarian Award recipients include Antony Burgmans,
former Chairman of Unilever; Robert L. Corcoran, President of General Electric
Foundation; Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF; and Guy Laliberte,
Founder and Chief Executive of Cirque du Soleil and the One Drop Foundation.
The reception will begin at 6:30 PM in
the Visitors Lobby at the United Nations Headquarters followed
by dinner in the UN Delegates Dining Room. For reservations and more information,
please visit www.unanyc.org or
contact Ann Nicol, Executive Director of United Nations Association of New
York, at 212-907-1353.
Download PDF version of the news release.
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