António Costa named winner of 2024 UNESCO – Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize

Azucar foundation receives honourable mention

UNESCO has designated António Luís Santos da Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, as the winner of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize 2024, recognising his significant contributions to promoting peace.

UNESCO has awarded the prestigious Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize for 2024 to former Portuguese Prime Minister António Luís Santos da Costa. This honour recognises Costa’s exemplary contributions to peace, democracy and human rights, both in Portugal and on the international stage, highlighting his commitment to fostering a just and equitable society for all.

In a press statement, UNESCO says that the jury also commended the Ecuadorian Azucar Foundation for its dedicated efforts in promoting and safeguarding the rights of Afro-descendants.

The statement adds that the International Jury members included Michel Camdessus, former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund of France, Santiago Gamboa-Samper, writer and diplomat of Colombia, Denis Mukwege, gynaecologist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Democratic Republic of Congo, Thomas Pesquet, astronaut and FAO Goodwill Ambassador of France, Hayat Sindi, biotechnology researcher and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador from Saudi Arabia, and Forest Whitaker, actor and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador from the United States.

It adds that the Prize honours individuals and organisations that significantly contribute to promoting and maintaining peace in line with the United Nations Charter and UNESCO’s Constitution. Notable recipients include Nelson Mandela, Frederik W De Klerk, Angela Merkel and Jimmy Carter.

“We have decided to award this prize to Prime Minister António Luís Santos da Costa, for his life’s work and for the constancy with which he has maintained, in his role a leading political figure, a commitment to peace and the promotion of developing countries,” says Michel Camdessus, Vice-President of the Jury and former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

“In a fragmented world facing immense challenges, we need political leaders who are committed to building lasting peace. I am delighted that the jury has chosen António Luís Santos da Costa, who has always distinguished himself as a great defender of dialogue and multilateralism,” says Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.