Recognition for the commitment and innovative communication of the Festival.

In 2014, the Millenium Festival had the honor of welcoming Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, accompanied by an official delegation, as well as Kristalina Georgieva, then European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid. Ban Ki-Moon expressed his support for the festival, which focuses on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in its programming. The Millenium Festival honored Ban Ki-Moon by awarding him the “Gold Goal,” a distinction given to those who, through their works, highlight the MDGs and carry a message of progress.

Today, Ban Ki-Moon continues to play a key role on the international stage, presiding over the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) as well as the Assembly and Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Kristalina Georgieva, after her term at the European Commission, became the Managing Director of the World Bank (2017–2019) before taking over as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2019.