By IANS,
Brussels : India’s former environment minister Maneka Gandhi will chair the ninth Energy Globe Awards for local environmental projects to be held at the European Parliament here May 26.
Bollywood star Aamir Khan is also invited to the ceremony as a guest. Around 109 countries will participate in the event, a statement issued by the European Parliament said Tuesday, EuAsiaNews reported Wednesday.
The Energy Globes Awards reward local and regional projects that contribute to energy conservation and environmental protection, as well as projects to supply basic resources such as water and electricity to poor communities.
Projects from around the world, promoting the use of clean and renewable energies, will compete in five different categories: Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Youth.
The ceremony will be hosted by actress Désirée Nosbusch. Guests will include former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. Former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev will receive a lifetime achievement award.
Projects nominated for the 2008 awards include solar energy systems for rural villages in Bangladesh, a reforestation initiative in Argentina and hybrid vehicles for public transport in Stockholm.