Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Twitter
Dubai - Coll Seck was awarded for her work in stopping Malaria and limiting Ebola from spreading locally and internationally.
Published: Sun 12 Feb 2017, 12:48 PM
Updated: Sun 12 Feb 2017, 2:53 PM
Senegal's Health Minister and Social Action was named as the 'Best Minister in the World' at the World Government Summit on Sunday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai presented the award to Her Excellency Awa Marie Coll Seck for her work in stopping Malaria and limiting Ebola from spreading locally and internationally.
Senegal was largely able to avoid the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, recording just one case of the deadly virus. It was was declared Ebola free in October 2015.
Coll Seck, who has served as a health minister since 2012, was chosen among eight candidates who have made it to the final assessment phases of the award, organized in partnership with Ernst & Young (EY).
LIVE: The World Government Summit in Dubai
In its second edition, this year's award focused on developing countries due to the challenges their governments face as a result of scarce resources and limited technological capabilities, which make success more recognizable.
The winner was chosen based on a set of criteria that included innovative leadership, quality and impact, ease of replicating strategies to other governments and integrity inside and outside the country ruled.
The award recognizes a public servant that have had a significant impact in globally and in their country. It highlights pioneering governmental models and remarkable efforts to shape the future.
Coll Seck is the author of more than 150 scientific publications, and has been awarded numerous professional and academic honours, including the Knight of the Order of Merit of the French Republic, Chevalier, Ordre des Palmes académiques; Officer of the Order of Merit Senegalese; and Knight of the Order of Merit of Burkina Faso.
She is an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences and Technologies of Senegal, who has earned her medical degree from the University of Dakar in 1978.
In line with its commitment to keeping the award impartial and giving it absolute credibility, the summit excluded UAE ministers from nominations.
Eight candidates were chosen from a list of 20 ministers, based on the results of a worldwide survey. The public also had an opportunity to nominate their favourites via social media networks.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
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