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(BGF) – Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tuan Dung was awarded the World Leader in Peace, Security and Development in the Global Cybersecurity Day event which was held on December 12, 2015 at Harvard Faculty Club.

The award is presented to individuals who have outstanding contributions to peace and security in their country and in the world.

In his congratulatory letter to PM Nguyen Tan Dung, dated December 8, Governor Michael Dukakis, former US presidential candidate, President of the Boston Global Forum, wrote: “The Boston Global Forum is an organization with the aim of gathering academic and government leaders around the world to work together to solve important international issues. Honoring you with this award, we recognize your exemplary leadership in your country and the region.”

(BGF) – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was named the World Leader in Cybersecurity for his “exemplary leadership and contributions in promoting cybersecurity in Japan and Asia” in the Global Cybersecurity Day event which was held on December 12 at Harvard Faculty Club.

Watch the Governor Dukakis’ remarks here:

Mr. Tsutomu Himeno, Consulate-General of Japan in Boston, expressed his thank you on behalf of Prime Minister Abe and said that the award is a great encouragement.

Read the full remarks by Governor Michael Dukakis in honoring PM Abe’s achievements below:

I am pleased to announce the recipient of this year’s World Leader in Cybersecurity Award—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The World Leader in Cybersecurity Award is given to individuals who contribute significantly to the advancement of cybersecurity.

Prime Minister Abe has worked tirelessly to make cybersecurity a priority in Japan and in the international community. Japan’s private sector particularly was still lagging in its cybersecurity efforts.

Recognizing the problem, and looking ahead to next year’s G7 Summit, which will be held in Japan, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Prime Minister Abe has made cybersecurity a top policy priority.

Under his leadership, Japan recently held the “Cyber3 Conference” in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Prime Minister has initiated and led the creation cabinet-level office to oversee national policy and promote international cooperation, in accordance with the Cybersecurity Basic Act enacted a year ago. And this year, the Prime Minister announced Japan’s Cybersecurity Strategy, a far- reaching plan to strengthen public-private efforts in the cybersecurity efforts. In the strategy, Japan announced an ambitious diplomatic initiative focusing on international rules and inter-governmental capacity building.

Prime Minister Abe has also exerted regional leadership in cybersecurity, engaging in capacity building through the cooperation between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

These and other efforts have put Prime Minister Abe in the forefront among world leaders in advancing the cause of cybersecurity. The Boston Global Forum is honored to present recognize him as a World Leader in Cybersecurity Award.

(BGF) – Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the World Leader in Peace, Security and Development for her “exemplary leadership in promoting peace, security, and development not only in Germany but in the EU and adjoining regions” in the Global Cybersecurity Day event which was held on December 12 at Harvard Faculty Club.

Watch full remarks of Governor Dukakis, Chairman and co-founder of Boston Global Forum, in honoring Chancellor Merkel’s achievements here:

Below is the transcript of the remarks:

I am pleased to announce a recipient of this year’s World Leader in Peace, Security, and Development Award—Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The award is given to individuals who display exemplary leadership in promoting peace, security, and development.

Chancellor Merkel has worked tirelessly toward these goals, not only in Germany but in the EU and adjoining regions.

Now in her 10^th year as chancellor, she has a legacy few post-war European leaders can match. She has led Germany through its economic recovery, while also holding together the Euro Zone as it faced the danger of default by a member nation. She has led the European response to the crisis in Ukraine, promoting tough sanctions while speaking out against those that would escalate the military conflict.

Most recently, she has led the European response to the refugee crisis and done so by example, opening Germany’s borders and doors to nearly a million asylum seekers. In words addressed to the German people but intended for all of Europe, she said:

“In many regions war and terror prevail. States disintegrate. For many years we have read about this. We have heard about it. We have seen it on TV. But we had not yet sufficiently understood that what happens in Aleppo and Mosul can affect Essen or Stuttgart. We have to face that now.

Such efforts have put Chancellor Merkel in the forefront among world leaders in advancing the cause of peace, security, and development. The Boston Global Forum is honored to present her this award.’’

Mr. Ralf Horlemann, consul general in Boston for the Federal Republic of Germany, in expressing the chancellor’s appreciation for the award, told Governor Dukakis:

“It is a great honor to receive the award in recognition of her leadership and contributions to peace and security. The German government will continue to work for a European solution to the challenges of migration and thus contribute to peace and security in Europe and beyond.’’