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UNESCAP News Services
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Date: 14 April 2011
Press Release No: G/11/2011
Highest Mongolian national honour for ESCAP chief
President of Mongolia confers “Order of the Polar Star” on Dr. Noeleen Heyzer
Bangkok (UN ESCAP Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section) – The President of Mongolia H.E. Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj has awarded Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, the “Order of the Polar Star”, one of the highest national awards of Mongolia.
The award was conferred on 12 April in Ulaanbaatar in recognition of Dr. Heyzer’s significant contribution to the Mongolia’s development over several decades. In particular, it recognizes her leadership in fostering women’s empowerment and gender equality, developing policies and institutions for democracy, and strengthening the coordinated voice of landlocked developing countries.
The award cites ESCAP’s role under Dr. Heyzer’s leadership, in helping Mongolia overcome the geographical handicap of a landlocked country through promoting regional connectivity and investment in human capital and sustainable development.
The order of the “Polar Star” was created in 1936. It is awarded to Mongolians and foreigners for their services to Mongolia.
The year 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of Mongolia as a member of the United Nations.
Dr. Heyzer was in the Mongolian capital for the High-Level Asia-Pacific Policy Dialogue on the implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action and other Development Gaps faced by the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) organized by ESCAP and the Government of Mongolia.
Ministers and senior government officials from Asia-Pacific LLDCs met in Ulaanbaatar from 12 to 14 April to review progress in reducing the geographical isolation of the LLDCs from world markets, in the context of the fast evolving regional and global economic environment.
For further information please contact:
Mr. Syed Nuruzzaman
Chief, Countries with Special Needs Section
Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division (MPDD), UN ESCAP
Tel: +66-2-288-1669
Email: nuruzzaman.unescap@un.org
Ms. Francyne Harrigan
Chief, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, UN ESCAP
Tel: +66-2-288-1864
Cell: +66 81 835 8677
Email: harriganf@un.org
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Headquartered in Bangkok, United Nations ESCAP is the largest of the UN's five Regional Commissions in terms of its membership, population served and area covered. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, ESCAP works to promote sustainable and inclusive economic and social progress. More information on ESCAP is available at www.unescap.org
