- The Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations Organisations (UNO) in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose on March 8, 2019.
- Mr. Naidu was honoured for his contribution “to the Rule of Law, democracy and sustainable development in India”.
- Shri Naidu received the degree of ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (Doctor Honoris Causa) from the Dean of the University of Peace.
- The University of Peace was founded further to a resolution of United Nations’ General Assembly in December, 1980 incorporating an International Agreement for the establishment of the University of Peace with the mandate of “Engaging in dissemination of knowledge fundamental to the full development of the human person and societies through interdisciplinary study of all matters relating to peace”. India is a signatory to this resolution and Shri Venkaiah Naidu is the first Indian to receive an Honorary Doctorate from this University.
- As Minister of Urban Development for over three years from 2014, Shri Vankaiah Naidu piloted environment friendly and sustainable urban planning and development strategies in the context of rapid urbanisation in the country. New urban initiatives launched viz. Smart City Mission, AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Housing For All, Transit Oriented Development (TOD), etc. focus on reducing carbon emissions, enhanced use of renewable source of energy, green construction practices, promotion of open and green spaces, walking and cycling, reduced travel from home to workplaces, energy conservation, waste reduction and recycling, citizen participation in planning and execution, ICT based citizen service delivery etc. He was also Chairman for an year of the UN – HABITAT that seeks to promote affordable housing under the Sustainable Development Goals. Since becoming Vice President in 2017, Shri Naidu, during his extensive travels within the country has been advocating the cause of rule of law, overcoming narrow identities, transparent governance and inclusive development.
