Australia’s Minister for the Environment has been named the ‘Best Minister in the World’ at the 2016 edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, presented the award to the Honourable Greg Hunt for his work reducing carbon emissions by 93 million tonnes.

In his acceptance speech, Hunt said: “I am genuinely humbled to receive the award. I am however deeply proud that this inaugural award is being presented to an environment minister. The environment is our common heritage, our land, our home and our identity.”

The Australian MP applauded the UAE’s vision to be one of the most innovative nations in the world.

He added: “Indeed, within the environment, the UAE is promoting renewable industry while supporting research in clean technology. There are great challenges. However, I am fundamentally optimistic. In that context, we all learn from each other and perhaps there are some policies and programmes we have in Australia that maybe can be implemented domestically and internationally.”

The new annual award was introduced to honour the best minister in the world who has led a new and successful qualitative government project with positive results for citizens. It is also aimed at promoting best practices that would inspire other government leaders to implement their own successful projects.

Nominations came from more than 80 countries. UAE ministers were excluded from the first award.