Gold Mercury Award for Peace & Sustainability Conferred on Dalai Lama

The Tibetan spiritual leader Tenzin Gyatso, famous as the 14th Dalai Lama, was conferred the prestigious Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability 2025. The award was bestowed on the 90-year-old Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, on 31st March 2025. 

The award was presented by Nicolas De Santis, President and Secretary General of Gold Mercury International, to the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama was recognised for his leadership in promoting peace, non-violence, wisdom culture, and environmental stewardship at a time when the world is facing rising global tension, conflict, and environmental challenges.

About the Dalai lama 

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born on 6 July 1935 to a farming family in a village in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the King and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. 

At the age of 2 years, he was recognised as the 14th Dalai lama.

According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the  Dalai Lamas are the manifestations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who chose to reincarnate to serve the people. Dalai Lama means Ocean of Wisdom. 

He, along with lakhs of Tibetans, fled to India in 1959 after China occupied Tibet.

Since 1960, he has resided in Dharamsala, also known as “Little Lhasa.” It is also the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

In 1989, he was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize.

About the Gold Mercury International Award 

The Gold Mercury International Award was instituted by Gold Mercury International in 1961. 

The Gold Mercury Awards honors individuals, Heads of State, global CEOs, companies, and organisations that demonstrate vision and foresight in eight critical areas of global governance.

The past recipient of the award includes former American President Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford for their efforts in nuclear disarmament. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt for his effort to bring peace to West Asia. Prof. Robert Gallo for discovering HIV as the cause of AIDS, and humanitarian organisations like UNICEF and the Red Cross.

About  Gold Mercury International 

An Italian film producer, Eduardo De Santis, founded the Gold Mercury International in 1961. It is an International non-governmental organisation and think tank dedicated to advancing peace and international cooperation.

It is presently based in London, United Kingdom.