Speaking at the event in Washington DC, the former minister expressed gratitude for the recognition and pledged to continue to fight for fairness for the less privileged. “I appreciate the Trustees of the Global Fairness Award for recognizing a lifetime devoted to development, including the privilege I have now of working for children’s immunization, through Gavi, and for managing climate risk in Africa through the African Risk Capacity. Let 2017 be a year of continued fight for fairness for the most vulnerable among us, and those left behind in this world.” Other recipients of the award include Dr Cristina Liamzon, a development consultant, and Ms Randi Weingarten, an American labor leader, attorney, and educator. The Global Fairness Initiative is a not-for-profit international organization that promotes a more equitable, sustainable approach to economic development, ensuring that benefits and prosperity are extended to all people, including the working poor. Some of the notable personalities that have been recognized and honored with the Global Fairness Award include Robert Bruce Zoellick, the eleventh president of the World Bank, former managing director of Goldman Sachs and Joyce Hilda Banda, former President of Malawi.