U.N. Special Envoy for Malaria, Ray Chambers, and RBM Executive Director, Professor Awa Coll-Seck, awarded “UNCA Citizen of the Year Award”
The 16th United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Awards Dinner was held in New York Wednesday (Dec 14) evening to recognize excellence in media coverage of UN activities and outstanding personalities who have contributed to humanitarian efforts around the world in the past year. This year’s event gave particular focus to malaria, as both UN Special Envoy for Malaria, Ray Chambers, and Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, Professor Awa Coll-Seck, were each awarded the prestigious UNCA Citizen of the Year award for their respective leadership and commitment to the fight against this treatable and preventable disease.
The UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, lauded both Mr. Chambers and Professor Coll-Seck for their significant contributions to global malaria control efforts as he presented their awards.
Addressing the more than 500 journalists, diplomats, and representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society and foundations, Chambers and Coll-Seck each highlighted the importance of partnership and acknowledged the leadership of the Secretary-General and the support of the media for placing malaria on the global health agenda and for accelerating progress toward a malaria-free world.
The evening was emceed by Mr. Richard Roth, from CNN, who paid tribute to Professor Coll-Seck for the many achievements under her leadership with RBM as he discussed her upcoming departure from the organization.
The United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) is a professional organization of nearly 200 journalists from dozens of countries representing scores of publications and broadcasters from all regions of the world, plus the major global news agencies.
Photo and story provided by RBM/Trey Watkins