Carter to receive Zayed International Environment Prize tonight

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will receive the Zayed International Prize for the Environment at a ceremony here tonight. Carter will be presented with a cheque for $500,000 (Dh1.8 million) by the founder and patron of the prize, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

Carter, 76, will receive the cash prize in recognition of his futuristic vision and subsequent work on poverty, human health, human settlements and peace.

The Chairman of the Federal Environmental Agency and UAE Minister of Health, Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Madfa, said Carter had been chosen for the prize primarily because of his Global 2000 initiative developed during his presidency from 1977 to 1981. "It was an indicator of his concern for the impact of globalisation on stability and development in the world, especially in developing countries," Al Madfa said.

The award was founded by Sheikh Mohammed in honour of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose support for environmental issues has received international recognition.

Its purpose is to "acknowledge and appreciate prominent and pioneer contributions by individuals, groups of individuals, institutions, organisations, companies, societies, unions and the like towards a sustainable utilisation of resources and improvement of the environment."

In addition to the award to Carter, two other cash awards will be made. The second award of $300,000 (Dh1.08 million), which recognises scientific achievements, will be shared by Professor Mohamed El Kassas of Cairo University for his work on arid land ecology and biodiversity, and the World Commission on Dams.

The third award of $200,000 (Dh720,000), which recognises the importance of Non-Governmental Organisations, will be shared by Yolana Kakabadze of Ecuador and Stephan Schmidheiny of Germany.

Kakabadze was chosen for her leading role in the preparation of the NGO's Chapter in Agenda 21 at the Rio summit on the environment in 1992. Schmidheiny was chosen for his book "Changing Courses" which was published at a time when the private sector was largely ignorant of environmental concerns. Schmidheiny also played a major role in the establishment of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Prize Chairman Dr Mohammed bin Fahed said 230 entries were submitted for the award which is presented every two years to mark National Environment Day. However, 42 entries had to be excluded because they did not meet the criteria.

The highest number of entries, 58, was received from Asia with 46 from Africa, 35 from Europe, 22 from North America, 10 from South America and eight from Australia. Sixty-six countries submitted entries. Competition for the prize was open to everyone concerned with the national, regional or international environment.

The criteria include the protection of the environment and the safeguarding of resources "according to the complimentary relationship between the environment and development and the concept of environmental sustainability".

The main areas covered by the prize are:

* Fragile ecosystems.
* Protecting fresh water supplies and quality and applying integrated concepts for developing, managing and utilising water resources.
* Conservation and development of biological diversity and wildlife.
* Protecting the marine environment, developing its biological resources and adopting integrated coastal zone management.
* Enhancing sustainable rural development.
* Enhancing sustainable development of industry and energy sectors and controlling pollution resulting from their activities.
* Transferring and introducing environmentally sound technologies into production and resources utilisation processes.
* Environmental health.
* Spreading and raising awareness through environmental education and community participation.
* Promoting regional and international co-operation for capacity building and sustainable development.
* Enhancing the role of women in the environment and development.
* Environmental security.

When considering their verdict the prize's jury were asked to take into account:

1. The successful handling and a permanent solution for an environmental problem that improves and supports the environment and its relationship with sustainable development.

2. Success in bringing important environmental issues into the main focus of the public and decision makers and mobilising national and international efforts to solve these issues.

3. The active part played in developing theoretical and practical concepts and techniques that make a real difference in favour of environmental protection and sustainable development.