The Camino de la Plata Award is one of the highest distinctions granted by The Grand North America – El Gran Bajío, created to honor individuals whose leadership has strengthened the civic, intellectual, and collaborative fabric of North America. Now in its fourth edition, the award celebrates those who embody a forward-looking vision for our region. These leaders build bridges, expand understanding, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of our shared community.
THE CAMINO DE LA
PLATA AWARD —
A CHRONICLE OF REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
A RECOGNITION
ROOTED IN HISTORY
The name of the award is not symbolic by accident. The Camino de la Plata was one of the most important economic and cultural corridors of the early Americas. From the mines of Zacatecas and Guanajuato through Querétaro and beyond, this route connected territories, moved resources, and fostered the exchange of ideas across what is now North America. It laid the foundations for regional interdependence long before the term existed.
Today, the award carries forward that legacy. It recognizes contemporary leaders who continue to open pathways, connecting institutions, people, and ideas across borders. Just as the historical route enabled prosperity through circulation and collaboration, award recipients shine through their ability to weave networks that strengthen our civic and economic future.
HONORING DISTINGUISHED LEADERS
Since its creation, the award has been presented to global figures whose careers exemplify the principles of regional leadership, cooperation, and impact.
Each of these honorees reflects a different dimension of the award’s spirit: the power of ideas, the influence of diplomacy, and the importance of civic leadership across borders.
2022
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi (“The Green Sheikh”)
A globally recognized advocate for environmental stewardship and youth empowerment, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi has become one of the most influential voices on sustainability in the Middle East and beyond. His work blends ecological leadership with community engagement, promoting a vision of global citizenship rooted in responsibility and intergenerational dialogue. His commitment to mentoring young leaders and advancing international environmental cooperation embodies the spirit of renewal and civic influence that defines the Camino de la Plata Award.
2023
José Ángel Gurría
As Secretary-General of the OECD from 2006 to 2021, José Ángel Gurría played a pivotal role in strengthening global economic governance during a time of significant geopolitical change. His leadership modernized the organization, expanding its membership and deepening its analytical influence on issues ranging from fiscal policy to education. Gurría has long championed cross-border cooperation as the cornerstone of economic prosperity, and his career reflects a commitment to dialogue, institutional strength, and multilateral progress.
2024
Luigi De Chiara
Serving as Italy’s Ambassador to Mexico, Luigi De Chiara has helped cultivate a deeper cultural, economic, and diplomatic relationship between Europe and North America. His tenure has been marked by efforts to strengthen academic exchange, support innovation-driven partnerships, and promote shared values across regions. Ambassador De Chiara’s work illustrates how diplomacy can serve as a bridge between communities, fostering collaborative frameworks that enrich both local and international spheres. His contributions resonate strongly with the award’s mission of weaving enduring connections across borders.
WHY THE AWARD MATTERS?
At its core, the Camino de la Plata Award underscores a central belief: that the future of North America depends on the relationships we cultivate today. By recognizing those who strengthen civic institutions, promote cross-border understanding, and expand opportunities for youth, the award seeks to advance a shared narrative of regional progress.
As North America navigates an era of profound change, marked by geopolitical shifts, regionalization, and the need for deeper cooperation, the leaders celebrated by this award illuminate the pathways that will define the decades ahead.
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