BRASILIA, 1 December 2010—Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was awarded today the 2010 “UNAIDS Award for Leadership” in recognition of his contribution to social and economic development as well as the AIDS response.

The award, presented on World AIDS Day by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, recognizes the key role that Mr da Silva has played in building social justice, reducing poverty and accelerating the country’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

“President Lula is a leader whose bold action on AIDS has changed lives around the world,” said Mr Sidibé, at the award ceremony in Brasilia. “He is a partner to developing nations, stands up against discrimination and a remover of barriers.”

Upon receiving the award, Mr da Silva said, “I am very happy to have had the opportunity to advance the Millennium Development Goals and to have helped other countries to do so. The fact that our efforts are being recognized means a lot to me. I would like to share this award with all those who have contributed to reaching these goals."

The “UNAIDS Award for Leadership” recognizes a person or an organization that has made a major and lasting contribution to restoring dignity and improving people’s lives. UNAIDS recognizes the key role leadership plays in creating an environment for positive social change and for accelerating progress in the AIDS response, health and development. The award includes a citation and a medal.

UNAIDS award citation
The citation reads as follows: “President Lula’s commitment to the idea that economic development must come with social sustainability created powerful partnerships inside Brazil and throughout the world particularly focusing on South-to-South cooperation. His search for equity significantly advanced Brazil’s economy and accelerated the country’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.”

About the medal
Renowned British artist David Poston designed the award, which is carved from lime wood and plated with gold. This original work of art embodies the rippling of water and its far-reaching effect—a symbolic link to leadership and its catalytic role in the AIDS response.