SEforALL CEO honoured with the 2014 Nayudamma Award
CHENNAI, 13 November 2014 - UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Chief Executive of the Initiative on Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, was today honoured with the 2014 Nayudamma Award for his outstanding contributions to the energy sector.
Instituted in 1994 by the Nellore based Nayudamma Centre for Development Initiatives, and given annually to individuals for their significant contributions around the world in the areas of sustainable development, the award commemorates the distinguished scientist and internationally renowned leather technologist, Dr. Yelavarthy Nayudamma.
Delivering the 20th Prof Y. Nayudamma Memorial Lecture at the Central Leather Research Institute on "Achieving Sustainable Energy for All in the Context of the Post- 2015 United Nations Development Agenda", Yumkella noted that "issues of energy are central to maintaining peace and socio-economic development." He further urged the global community "to come together to face three major challenges: energy security, energy access and climate change."
Receiving the award from the Chief Guest of the function, Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu, Yumkella noted that he is truly humbled to receive the 2014 Nayudama award. "The work of bringing sustainable energy for all is not an easy one but with our many partners around the world and my staff, we will continue to make a difference. This award, I accept today, is on behalf of the work that they all do in furthering the global targets of the initiative," said Dr. Yumkella.
Dr. Jagadeesh, a noted Alternative Energy Expert and Chairman of Nayudamma Award selection committee, mentioned that Dr. Kandeh Yumkella has held several global positions and is the recipient of many international awards in recognition for his work around the world.
Yumkella’s numerous awards include the UN Global Leadership Award, the 2013 Energy Efficiency Visionary Award for exceptional contribution to the advancement of energy efficiency through his work with Sustainable Energy for Al, the 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award for his outstanding achievements in contributing to sustainable development, particularly in the area of sustainable energy in Africa and around the globe and the Madhuri and Jagadish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement.
Previous awardees include Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Former Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, Dr.Ghauth Jasmon, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Bernard Amadei, President, Engineers Without Borders, University Colorado, USA and Dr.V.S.Ramamurthy, Former Secretary, DST, Government of India.
Dr. M.Y.S.Prasad, Director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota and Dr. Allam Appa Rao, Director, C.R. Rao Advanced Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (AIMSCS) Hyderabad, were guests of honour at the high-level ceremony.
A two-term former Director-General of UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Dr. Yumkella holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from University of Illinois. Previously, he was Sierra Leone's Minister for Trade, Industry and State Enterprises.
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