The Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Nawal El Moutawakel, has been awarded the North-South Prize by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, in recognition of her «remarkable contribution to promoting inclusion, equal rights, and the unifying power of sport». The award honors an initiative jointly led by the IOC, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and the International Paralympic Committee, as well as athletes Cindy Ngamba and Zakia Khudadadi, the first members of the Olympic and Paralympic Refugee Teams to win medals, a historic milestone for refugee athletes worldwide. In its 30th edition, the North-South Prize also recognized Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, for his long diplomatic career and major contributions to promoting a culture of peace, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, and mutual respect. The ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Portuguese Parliament, in the presence of political, cultural, and media figures, presided over by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Speaker José Pedro Aguiar-Branco. Awarded annually since 1995, the prestigious North-South Prize distinguishes two laureates, personalities or organizations, for their exceptional and lasting commitment to solidarity and partnership between the Global North and South. In his address, the Portuguese president praised sport as a bridge between peoples and a force for peace and humanity, especially through initiatives supporting refugee athletes. He also highlighted the recognition of Moratinos's lifelong dedication to dialogue among civilizations and the defense of pluralism and mutual understanding, stressing that «the world needs peace now more than ever». Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, President of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre, noted that North-South cooperation is more essential than ever, while Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, saluted the efforts of the IOC, the Olympic Refuge Foundation, and the International Paralympic Committee to advance inclusion and dignity through sport. Past laureates include Jorge Sampaio, Queen Rania of Jordan, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mary Robinson, and Kofi Annan.
