President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser was awarded with a South South Award for his outstanding work and commitment towards the progress of the developing world, during a special ceremony in the ECOSOC chamber at the United Nations Headquarters in New York today.

The award, delivered by the President of South South News; Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, was received by the PGA on the United Nations day of South South Cooperation. Ambassadors Mourad Benmehidi ; Chair of the group of 77, and John Ashe; President of the high level committee on South South Cooperation, as well as Mr. Yiping Zhou; Director of the UNDP Special Unit for South South cooperation, had gathered in the ECOSOC chambers to mark the event.

 “You have manifested your sustained commitment to the progress of the developing world by placing such strong emphasis on South South and triangular cooperation, as the main vehicle not only for the achievement of the Millennium Development goals, but also for the promotion of sustainable development. “ Mr. Lorenzo said in his deliverance speech.

The PGA acknowledged that the challenges of a globalized world require collective and concerted efforts at all levels by all development partners.

“More focus should be put on concrete effort in achieving equity, employment, sustainable use of resources, while tackling climate change.” Al-Nasser said. “South South cooperation has proven to be an effective tool in these endeavors.”

Al-Nasser also commented upon the progress that the United Nations have made towards the Millennium Development Goals this year. “The global South has been able to produce concrete development results in agriculture, food security, health, energy and climate,” he said.

Mr. Lorenzo also took the opportunity of the UN day of South South Cooperation to announce the commencement of the second South South Awards ceremony, to be held on September 23 in the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. The high-level gala, honoring transformative work on e-governance and sustainable tourism, is set to bring in heads of State and Government, UN Ambassadors, top UN officials and other distinguished guests from the private sector and civil society.