11 November 2013, Lagos, Nigeria – Leading infrastructure and technology company General Electric Africa has been honored at the United Nations 2013 Global Leadership Awards Dinner in New York, USA. The award is in recognition of GE’s commitment to the “Every Women Every Child” (EWEC) initiative championed by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as well as its partnerships in innovation, healthcare development, and advancement of country-owned solutions across Africa.
The dinner hosted a gathering of UN supporters who came together to recognize top corporate leaders such as GE Africa who have done incredible work to create a better world for everyone.
The President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation, Kathy Calvin commended GE and other awardees for their remarkable contributions to humanity. She said GE and the other awardees represent the best examples of a global network working to reduce poverty, improve health, and empower girls and women around the world. According to Kathy Calvin, “We live in a time of great change when we are all challenged to think differently, act innovatively, and come up with new solutions to complex and evolving problems”.
The President and CEO, GE Africa, Jay Ireland who received the award on behalf of the company, said the UN’s focus on supporting the development of Africa makes the global organization natural partners of GE. He said GE remains committed to meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), through its healthymagination strategy which is directed at affordable and quality access to healthcare for all.
On her part Janeen Uzzell, Director, Healthcare Programs for GE Africa said over the past four years, GE has partnered with Every Woman Every Child and presented its commitment in support of appropriate medical devices for low resource settings. She said the outcomes have proven successful in many ways: through innovative products, leadership on the Innovative Workers Group; our partnership with Nigeria and the Save One Million Lives initiative.
Over the past 56 years, the Global Leadership Awards Dinner has called attention to the vital role the UN plays in helping the global community advance peace, prosperity and justice. It recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding leadership in furthering the purposes of the United Nations Charter and advancing UN causes — from global health and economic development, to human rights, education, and environmental sustainability.
*GE press statement
