The 2022 North South Prize award ceremony has taken place at the Assembleia da República of Portugal in Lisbon. The Prize was awarded jointly to two distinguished entities, recognising their exceptional contributions to fostering the resilience of local communities during times of war and addressing the urgent call for environmental action.
The Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) was selected in recognition of its strong commitment to ensure better integration of Internally Displaced Persons in host communities and to address the socioeconomic challenges that arise in wartime. In addition, the Prize also recognises the Association's efforts to uphold democratic values by ensuring that laws regulating the functioning of local authorities are fully aligned with the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
The AUC was represented by Vadym Boichenko, Mayor of Mariupol, Chair of the Section for the Development of De-occupied and Temporarily Occupied Communities of the Association of Ukrainian Cities and Member of AUC Board.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was selected by the Jury in recognition of its crucial work in raising awareness about the pressing need to globally act against greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change that affect all humanity. Represented by its Chair, Jim Skea, the IPCC was honoured for its contributions to environmental advocacy.
The Prize was presented by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Vice-President of the Assembleia da República of Portugal and Chairperson of the Portuguese delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Edite Estrela, and the Chair of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre, Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, also took the floor during the ceremony.
"The North-South Centre does so much good raising awareness of global interdependence, ensuring international solidarity, promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law within Europe's borders and outside them among countries that share common values. The laureates have excelled into putting these values into practice, making a positive difference to the lives of citizens and, in turn, inspiring others by showing what can be achieved. Today, two more prize winners join the ranks of the North-South laureates and I congratulate them with all my heart", said Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić during her speech at the award ceremony.
While in Lisbon, the Secretary General met the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa, the President of Parliament, Augusto Santos Silva and the Secretary of State for Internationalisation, Bernardo Ivo Cruz.
