Agra-born Sharma, 55, who was a Cabinet-level minister until October, is named on the ‘Overseas List’
London: Alok Sharma, an Indian-origin former UK minister, has been knighted by King Charles III in his first New Year Honours for his contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at the COP26 summit list released here, a PTI report in The Tribbune, Chandigarh, says.
Agra-born Sharma, 55, a Cabinet-level minister until October, is named in the “Overseas List” and leads a tally of over 30 Indian-origin campaigners, economists, academics, medics and philanthropists to be honoured in the annual list issued in the name of the British monarch.
“Alok Sharma receives a Knighthood for his contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at COP26 and driving the UK to agree a historic agreement from individual countries that will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future,” reads a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) statement with reference to the list honouring overseas contributions.
The UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) was held last year in Scotland from October 31 to November 13. Sharma was then the president of the conference, the first since the Paris Agreement of COP21
“The UK’s impact around the world depends on exceptional people like those recognised in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours list. I am grateful for their outstanding contribution,” said Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO and Head of the Diplomatic Service.
In keeping with the climate theme, Professor Sir Partha Sarathi Dasgupta receives a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for services to Economics and the Natural Environment.
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