Mrs Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece, winner of the United Nations 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize

Last Friday, July 17th, Η.Ε. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the 74th Session of the General Assembly announced that Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece, a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador,  is the laureate of the female United Nations 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize, awarded every five years by the UN General Assembly, in recognition of her important work and contribution in the service of humanity. The Selection Committee entrusted with the responsibility of selecting the winners decided on Mrs Vardinoyannis for the female Nelson Mandela Prize and on Doctor Morissanda Kouyaté of Guinea, for the male Prize.

Due to the pandemic, the formal recognition of the laureates by the President of the General Assembly took place virtually today, at the informal meeting of the General Assembly to observe the Annual Nelson Mandela International Day, in the presence of the Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the representatives of the UN Regional Groups and others. The in-person award ceremony will take place at a later date at the United Nations Headquarters here in New York.