New york: Ambassador Jamal Fares Al Rowaiei, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, participated as the Asia-Pacific Group representative in the selection committee for the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. His involvement underscores Bahrain's commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the participation took place during the award ceremony, which was part of the United Nations General Assembly's annual observance of Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, 2025. The event was attended by Ant³nio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, and Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, who jointly presented the 2025 prize to the laureates.
The 2025 Nelson Mandela Prize was awarded to Brenda Reynolds, a social counsellor in Canada, for her efforts in supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities. Her work in establishing a health support programme related to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement was particularly recognized. Kennedy Odede, founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) in Kenya, was also honored. SHOFCO provides services in urban informal settlements, impacting over 2.5 million people across Kenya.
The United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize is bestowed every five years to two individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving humanity, reflecting the principles of the United Nations and Nelson Mandela's legacy.