23 April 2010 - The Afghan Director-General of the National Environmental Protection Agency, Prince Mostapha Zaher, has been awarded the UN's highest award, the 2010 Champions of the Earth Award, for environmental leadership.

According to Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, “Prince Zaher has transformed environmental policy and laid the foundation for sustainability in one of the most challenging countries on the planet at this moment in history. He has balanced the day-to-day realities of Afghanistan with a determination that his country will have clean air and healthy water – backed by laws –  upon which a sustainable and peaceful society can be built.”

The Presidents of Guyana and Maldives are also among six winners from government, science, business and entertainment to be awarded this year’s United Nations Champions of the Earth prize today for their leadership in environmental conservation.

Chinese actress Zhou Xun received the award for her reputation as a green lifestyle guru. Through her “tips for green living” initiative, Ms Xun encourages people to reduce their carbon print through simple changes in lifestyle.

United States venture capitalist and Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla was recognized for his efforts as a green energy entrepreneur. In September 2009, Mr Khosla’s venture capital firm announced it had raised $1.1 billion for a “green fund” that would be used to spur development of renewable energy and other clean technologies.

The trophies were presented at a gala event in Seoul to mark International Mother Earth Day, in conjunction with the Business for the Environment Global Summit in the capital of the Republic of Korea, which is being attended by more than 1,000 representatives from business, government, and civil society.

“The six winners represent some of the key pillars upon which society can build green growth and a development path to unite rather than divide six billion people,” said Mr Steiner.

The Champions of the Earth, an international environment award established in 2004, recognizes achievements in areas of entrepreneurial vision, policy and leadership, science and innovation, inspiration and action. The year’s awards had a special category for biodiversity and ecosystems management. To date, the award has recognized 34 outstanding environmental leaders.