Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, 13 April, 2005
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), yesterday announced that Sheila Watt-Cloutier, elected Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), was one of seven “Champions of the Earth.” Ms. Watt-Cloutier will receive this award at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on April 19.
Additional recipients include:
*King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and the people of Bhutan;
*Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (posthumously);
*President Thabo Mbeki and the people of South Africa;
*His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew;
*Julia Carabias Lillo, former environment minister of Mexico; and
*Zhou Qiang and the All-China Youth Federation.
Mr. Klaus Toepfer, UNEP’s Executive Director, said: “In this inaugural year of the award, UNEP is honoured to recognize the achievements of seven individuals who have, to a large extent, set the environmental agenda and laid the foundations for the many areas of progress we are able to see and celebrate today.”
Ms. Watt-Cloutier is to receive the award for her contributions in addressing global climate change and her successful efforts to persuade the world to conclude a global convention to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) many of which pose a particular threat to Inuit and Arctic ecosystems.
Ms. Watt-Cloutier said: “I am honoured and humbled by this award which is for Inuit everywhere. This award strengthens our determination, as Inuit, to find our rightful place in the rapidly changing world and to contribute our knowledge and wisdom to make the world a better place.” She added: “The Champions of the Earth award reflects the fact that the Arctic –our homeland– is the world’s barometer of climate change. Inuit are the mercury in that barometer.”
In November and December 2005, Canada is hosting a Conference of Parties (COP) to the UN climate change convention. Up to 10,000 people from more than 180 countries are expected to attend.
Ms. Watt-Cloutier said: “Canada should use the COP to bring together Inuit and all Arctic residents and vulnerable peoples in the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying areas. Canada has a unique opportunity to help regions particularly vulnerable to climate change to speak loudly and clearly to the world. “She urged Minister Stephane Dion, Canada’s Minister of the Environment who will chair the COP, and Minister Pierre Pettigrew who is likely to lead Canada’s delegation to the COP, to grasp this opportunity.
For additional information contact:
Ms. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chair Inuit Circumpolar Conference, 867-979-4661;
Dr Terry Fenge, Strategic Counsel, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, 613-722-7006;
Mr. Nick Nuttall, UNEP Head of Media, Nairobi, 254 20 62 3084 Mobile 254 (0) 733 632755;
Mr. Jim Sniffen, Information Officer, UNEP New York Liaison Office, 212-963-8094.
Background on the Champions of the Earth Prize and all laureates, including biographies and photographs is available from www.unep.org