The Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation chose the Copenhagen Convention on Climate Change (COP15-UNFCCC) as the appropriate venue to present its "One World Award" to Bakir Lozane of Lozane Farms, Maputo, Mozambique and Jose Roberto Fonseca of Instituto Eco-Engenho, Maceio, Brazil in recognition of their work in clean technology transfer advancing sustainable agriculture. The conference was an ideal setting to acknowledge innovative programs that have achieved international cooperation and financing for clean technology addressing climate change. Mr. Fonseca, who is will receive his medal in a separate ceremony, is a Brazilian entrepreneur responsible for developing H2SOL, a successful solar-powered hydroponic pepper business with small farmers in drought-stricken northeast Brazil. Through a LaGuardia Foundation and CTI-PFAN (Private Financing Advisory Network) grant, Mr. Lozane and Mr. Fonseca have formed a collaboration to transfer his technology to Mozambique to promote clean energy for high-value agricultural products among small holders. This South-to-South collaboration offers a promising model for scaling up sustainable agriculture and providing a pathway to poverty alleviation and social development, while tackling climate change through CO2 reduction.

The award was presented to Bakir by LaGuardia Foundation's board member and Chief Climate Negotiator for Costa Rica, Dr. Alvaro Umaña, and by Mr. Elmer Holt, Chairman of the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and Climate Negotiator for the United States, at the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) Side Event on Technology Transfer on December 11, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia's birthday.

"This is deserved recognition for a project which represents technology transfer in action and demonstrates the resulting developmental benefits of using low carbon energy to achieve economic uplift. This exemplifies the work of CTI PFAN and we wish Mr. Lozane and Mr. Fonseca continued success with the project," said Mr. Elmer Holt during the award presentation.

"The "One World" award reflects the mission of our foundation and celebrates the legacy of Mayor and UNRRA Director-General, Fiorello H. LaGuardia," Mr. Patrick J. D’Addario, President of the foundation, announced from New York City. "Bakir and Jose Roberto represent the best of the spirit of this award - using renewable energy inputs to feed the world without concern for geo-political borders. Our foundation works with dedicated professionals like this throughout the world and continues to seek investors as well as projects to bring successful sustainability throughout the globe."

The LaGuardia Foundation is in fact embarking on a campaign to raise a $10 million dollar clean technology transfer fund to support the development of sustainable enterprises in target countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

The Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation (LGF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the work of Fiorello H. LaGuardia as an internationalist and advocate of humanitarian globalism. LaGuardia's lifelong commitment to public service has provided the inspiration for LGF to promote a global approach to equitable economic and social development. LGF's strategy is to develop partnerships with governments, foundations, and corporations to support micro-enterprises in the production of high value food products and renewable energy infrastructures. Through the provision of financial and technical assistance, LGF develops projects that are scalable models of sustainable production. The principles guiding LaGuardia's actions are justice for the poor; the creation of infrastructures; and a commitment to international cooperation.

For additional information please visit www.laguardiafoundation.org or contact Mr. D’Addario at +1 212 570 1064 / pdaddario@laguardiafoundation.org

Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation

Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation

The Fiorello H. LaGuardia Foundation (LGF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the work of Fiorello H. LaGuardia as an internationalist and advocate of humanitarian globalism. LaGuardia’s lifelong commitment to public service has provided the inspiration for LGF to promote a global approach to equitable economic and social development. LGF’s strategy is to develop partnerships with governments, foundations, and corporations to support micro-enterprises in the production of high value food products and renewable energy infrastructures. Through the provision of financial and technical assistance, LGF develops projects that are scalable models of sustainable production. The principles guiding LaGuardia’s actions are justice for the poor; the creation of infrastructures; and a commitment to international cooperation.

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