The United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), a professional organisation of over 200 correspondents and producers from dozens of countries, representing scores of media outlets from all over the world, has opened invitations to media professionals worldwide to submit entries for its 29th annual UNCA Awards for best print, broadcast (TV and radio), and online media coverage of the United Nations, UN agencies, and field operations.
The award categories, which increased to four in the 2025 edition includes: the Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize, Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize, the Albert II of Monaco and UNCA Global Prize for Climate Change, and the UNCA and Italgas Global Prize for Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence.
The Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize, sponsored by the Alexander Bodini Foundation, is for print (including online media) coverage of the UN and UN agencies. The award is named in honour of Elizabeth Neuffer, the Boston Globe bureau chief at the UN, who died while on an assignment in Baghdad in 2003.
The Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize, sponsored by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), is for broadcast (TV and Radio) media coverage of the UN and UN agencies. This award is named in honour of Ricardo Ortega, a former New York correspondent for Antena 3 TV of Spain, who died while on an assignment in Haiti in 2004.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and UNCA Global Prize for Climate Change for all types of media (traditional and online), covering climate change, with a particular focus on the climate change impact to oceans, biodiversity, and sea level rise in Small Developing Island States.
The UNCA and Italgas Global Prize for Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, sponsored by Italgas, a leading network tech company in the energy transition and digital transformation of infrastructure. This prize highlights journalism that explores how technology is shaping a more sustainable and equitable future. It honours excellence in print, online, and broadcast journalism, covering the impact of digital innovation and artificial intelligence on sustainable development and public service.
To be eligible, applicant must work in print, broadcast, or online outlets and works must have been published between September 2024 and September 2025. The judges will lookout for entries that demonstrate impact, insight, and originality, evaluating the journalists’ courage, investigative prowess, and reporting skills. Entries from the media in the developing world are especially encouraged.
Entries can be submitted in any of the official UN languages (English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian); however, a written transcript in English or French is necessary to facilitate the judging process. Candidate may submit entries to a maximum of two award categories, with one story per category. Joint entries are also permitted, with a maximum of three names listed for credits. Applicants should please ensure digital files and valid web links are uploaded and included in the online entry form.
Entries are submitted online by completing the UNCA Awards Entry Form, which can be accessed here. Applicants should complete the form, upload their photo, and submit their work electronically by uploading web links and/or files directly on the Entry Form. Electronic entries are mandatory.
Deadline for submission is September 30, 2025. Winners will be honoured by the UN Secretary-General, H.E. António Guterres, on December 12, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The UNCA Awards Committee includes Valeria Robecco (UNCA President), Giampaolo Pioli (Awards Chairman), Tuyet Nguyen (Awards Selections Coordinator), Sherwin Bryce-Pease (UNCA Executive Member and Master of Ceremonies), Edith Lederer (UNCA Executive Member), and Betul Yuruk (UNCA Executive Member).
For questions regarding UNCA Awards and entries, please send an email to: contactus@unca.com. For detailed information about the awards and to apply, please visit the awards website at https://unca.com/awards-call-for-submissions/.
