Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was on Thursday honoured with the Global Fairness Award in Washington DC, United States.

The award was presented to her by the Global Fairness Initiative in recognition of her contribution to sustainable development, and her focus on implementing development programs that benefit the poor and less privileged.

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,” she said.

“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 Cristina Liamzon, a development consultant, and Randi Weingarten, an American labour leader, attorney, and educator.

The Global Fairness Initiative is a not-for-profit international organisation 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 recognised and honored with the Global Fairness Award include Robert Bruce Zoellick, the 11th president of the World Bank, former managing director of Goldman Sachs and Joyce Hilda Banda, former President of Malawi.