Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the Millennium Technology Prize Gala on 9 June 2010

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Today we have the pleasure to celebrate the fourth winner of the Millennium Technology Prize. The biennial Millennium Technology Prize is the world's largest international recognition for technological innovation. It is also a tribute to the winner for important personal contribution to promote sustainable social development and the quality of life.

In addition to expertise, developing innovations requires the opportunity to be creative and show initiative. High-standard education, research and technology as well as cooperation with different parties support the development of broad knowledge.

Innovations play an important role in meeting the challenges of globalization. As globalization proceeds, international cooperation in enhancing innovations has also become increasingly significant.

New technology will be in a growing position as the world strives for sustainable development - taking man and nature into consideration. With the help of technology we can improve people’s wellbeing and promote democracy, equality and a better living environment. Combatting climate change also requires the development of environmental-friendlier technologies.

At their best technologies create solutions that touch all of us - in different countries and all sectors of society.

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An important idea of the Millennium Technology Prize is to identify innovations that can be considered to have great potential in the future, too. When we look at the past winners, we can see that they are excellent also in this respect.

The first prize in 2004 was presented to Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the developer of the World Wide Web. What would the world be like without the Web? The world has become networked via the Internet and we are globally closer to one another than ever before. Berners-Lee's work continues actively through the use of open information.

In 2006 the prize went to Professor Shuji Nakamura for his innovations in creating white and blue lasers and LEDs. Since 2006, this has become a widely used everyday technology around the world. Professor Nakamura carries on his work with the green laser and new applications.

The previous Millennium Technology Prize was awarded two years ago. Professor Robert Langer received the prize for his innovations in the field of medical technology, artificial tissue and drug delivery systems. Thousands and thousands of people have benefited from Professor Langer's innovations - and his work goes on.

Esteemed Professor Michael Grätzel, the Technology Academy Finland has selected you as the winner of the fourth Millennium Technology Grand Prize. Your innovation of dye-sensitized solar cells is a real scientific breakthrough for future ecological energy solutions. We look forward to all the purposes for which your innovation can be used.

I would like to personally congratulate you, Professor Grätzel, and all the laureates. Your innovations are excellent examples of what kind of future development we would like to support with the Millenium Technology Prize. I wish you every success in your work in the future as well.

All outstanding innovations and prizes will hopefully encourage others to develop their own creativity. I have the honour of announcing that the selection round for the 2012 prize will open in January 2011. So, we will celebrate the next winner of the Millennium Technology Prize two years from now.