SEforALL SRSG Kandeh Yumkella receives the Austrian Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold

Vienna, 28 July 2015 - Today the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, was awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for services to the Republic of Austria, also known as the Order of Merit of the Austrian Republic, for his meritorious services to the country. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella received Austria's highest national honour together with a certification signed by President Fischer and a letter of congratulation from Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz today at the Austrian Foreign Ministry. “Austria has many reasons to be grateful to you, Kandeh Yumkella”, said Dr. Wolfgang Waldner, of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his personal address to SRSG Kandeh Yumkella . “In your ten years as head of International Organizations based in Vienna you have done much to strengthen Vienna’s reputation as an international meeting place and energy hub. We cannot let you leave without expressing our gratitude and appreciation for the work you have accomplished in Vienna in your previous functions as Director General of UNIDO and SRSG of Sustainable Energy for All." "Austria firmly believes in the future of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative. SEforALL is in the process of acquiring a long-term institutional identity and is set to take over new tasks connected with the implementation of sustainable energy as SDG No. 7. As such, it will build on the strong basis laid by the unwavering commitment and inexhaustible energy of its first SRSG and CEO, Kandeh Yumkella, with his infectious enthusiasm, the eloquence and considerable charm for which he is so well known." The award giving ceremony was attended by more than 100 national and international invitees at the Marmorsaal of the Austrian Foreign Ministry. The "Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria" is conferred by the Republic of Austria to honour people from Austria and abroad who have rendered admirable and laudable services to the Republic. Recipients range from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Willy Brandt, Chancellor of Germany to Alois Mock, Vice-Chancellor of Austria. Dr. Yumkella will leave Vienna soon and return to his home country Sierra Leone to serve his people in a time of great need for stability and visionary leadership.   Read Dr. Wolfgang Waldners remarks at the event here View the full photo gallery here