Indian climate scientist wins UN’s top meteorological prize

A renowned Indian environmental scientist has been awarded one of the world’s top prizes in meteorology and hydrological sciences by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the agency said today.

Jagadish Shukla of India was awarded the 52nd International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize at an event in Washington D.C. hosted by the United States’ National Academy of Sciences.

President of the Institute of Global Environment and Society since 1991, Dr. Shukla is Professor of Earth Sciences and Global Change and Chairman of Climate Dynamics at George Mason University in the US.

WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said Professor Shukla “has been a pillar of the weather and climate research community along a period during which revolutionary advances in atmospheric and oceanic observation, modelling and predictive capabilities have taken place.”

It was also announced today that Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has garnered an award for exceptional alumni of the University of Illinois in the US.

The Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Award for Exceptional Achievement award is in recognition of Dr. Yumkella’s leadership in efforts to link sustained economic growth to poverty reduction, as well as his efforts to promote increased trade and more efficient use of resources, the University said in its announcement.

Dr. Yumkella has also worked extensively on development topics in Sierra Leone, his native country, where he served as the Minister for Trade, Industry and State Enterprise.

Since becoming Director-General of UNIDO in 2005, Dr. Yumkella has been involved in the development of programmes to stimulate economic growth that benefit the poor in developing countries and economies in transition, the announcement said.