DOHA, June (G77/IPS)--- Mourad Ahmia, executive secretary of the Group of 77, was honoured with the 2005 'Spirit of Excellence Award-- Emerging Leader for Global Public Service' by the Canada-based Institute for Leadership Development, a specialized institution of the World Trade University Global Secretariat in Canada.
The award ceremony took place early in the margins of South Summit hosted by the government of Qatar.
Ahmia was selected by a panel of distinguished citizens for his longstanding contribution in support of the work of the Group of 77 and for promoting the interests of developing countries at the United Nations.
The President of the World Trade University Global Secretariat, Sujit Chowdhury, said that "this event celebrates hope and inspiration of an emerging leader in the international public service. More than ever, public service requires commitment, dedication, perseverance and performance. Mr. Ahmia fulfills these qualities in his coordinating role within the Group of 77".
Accepting the award, Ahmia said he was particularly humbled by such a prestigious award because ''I strongly believe that this award goes beyond the recognition of my modest commitment within the Group of 77 to the best interests of our developing nations?''.
An Algerian-born career diplomat who joined his country's foreign service at age 20, Ahmia has been serving as executive secretary of the Group of 77 in New York since April 2000.
In 1994, he was seconded for service as Coordinator of the Office of the Chairman of the Group of 77 in New York. In that capacity, he directed the preparatory processes for a number of high-level G-77 conferences that led to the first ever G-77 South Summit in Havana, Cuba, in April 2000, and during which he was appointed as the first executive secretary of the G-77.
During his professional career, Ahmia served as diplomatic adviser in the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended many international conferences and summits as an expert on international economic, social and environment issues.