Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi, minister of international cooperation and development in the UAE, was honored for her "exceptional leadership in public service and exemplary role in the humanitarian and global arena" at the ninth Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York on Sunday, The National reported.
The event, attended by a number of UAE representatives and a slew of dignitaries from around the world, was hosted by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The Clinton Global Citizen Award, which was established in 2007 by the Clinton Foundation, is given to those who exemplify global citizenship through their vision and leadership. Sheikha Lubna is the first Emirati to receive this award, and the second from a GCC country, after Hayat Sindi from Saudi Arabia was recognized in 2014.
“I am humbled by this recognition and, with gratitude, I stand before all of you today to receive this award on behalf of my country, the United Arab Emirates,” Sheikha Lubna said.
She said that while the award might have been handed to her, it was also a recognition of the country's continued efforts to stay true to Sheikh Zayed's principles.
"I am here, holding this award, because I am very fortunate to be given the opportunity by the UAE leadership to be the first-ever female minister, and more importantly, to be an agent of positive change.”