Leading the Green Revolution: President Ali Wins Global Innovation Award at Berkeley Forum
President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s receipt of the Global Leadership Award for Open Innovation 2024 is a testament to his dedication to advancing sustainability and economic inclusivity on a global scale. This honor not only celebrates his leadership but also marks a pivotal moment for Guyana as it continues to assert itself as a key player in the global green economy.
The collaboration with global institutions and the focus on innovative environmental policies will likely strengthen Guyana's efforts to meet climate goals while enhancing economic growth and social equity.
The award was presented at the NASA Ames Research Center during the Berkeley Innovation Forum 2025.
The Global Leadership Award for Open Innovation recognizes leaders who demonstrate visionary practices that promote environmental sustainability and inclusive economic development on a global scale.
This award has been conferred upon distinguished leaders, including political figures, reformers, and business innovators who have significantly contributed to economic growth both nationally and internationally. These leaders include:
● 1967 Galo Plaza – President of Ecuador & United Nations diplomat
● 1970 Sun Fo, 2nd Premier of the Republic of China and framers of the Constitution.
● 1973 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
● 1978 Sadako Ogata, Minister of Japan to the United Nations
● 2001 Miguel Echeverría, President of Costa Rica
● 2004 Tom Clausen, World Bank Chief & Chairman of Bank of America
● 2007 Warren Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway
● 2011 Yuan Tseh Lee, Reformer, Statesman & Nobel Laureate, Taiwan
● 2014 Janet Yellen, Chair of United States Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System
● 2015 Pranab Mukherjee, President of India
● 2016 Barack Obama, President of the United States
● 2017 Paul Jacobs, Chairman Executive Chairman of QUALCOMM
● 2018 John Chambers, Immediate Past Chairman of Cisco
● 2019 Francesco Starace, CEO, Enel Group, Rome, Italy
● 2020 Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies
● 2022 Her Excellency and King’s Counsel, Patricia Scotland, the Sec. General of the Commonwealth
● 2023 Dr. Mark Liu, Chairman of TSMC, Taiwan.
President Ali has been a proponent of market mechanisms for carbon trading, advocating for strategies that support environmental conservation while also enabling economic opportunities.
His collaborative efforts with global institutions such as Yale, Harvard, and Oxford to establish an International Centre for Biodiversity signify a commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainability research. This partnership could facilitate research, policy development, and education on crucial environmental issues.
The accolade also reinforces President Ali’s aim to position Guyana as a leader in the global green economy. By enhancing environmental policies and promoting sustainable practices, the country can attract investment, foster innovation, and contribute to global sustainability efforts.
The award enhances Guyana’s reputation on the international stage, particularly concerning environmental and economic initiatives.