The Global Summit of Women bestowed its 2006 prize for pioneering achievement on Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, the wife of President Hosni Mubarak and President of the Egyptian National Council of Women.

This took place at a special ceremony held within the framework of the programme of the summit that is due to wrap up later Monday.

In an address on the occasion, Irene Natividad, the president of the summit, said the prize was offered to Mrs Mubarak in token of appreciation for her work to serve women causes and advance the status of women in her country.

The ceremony was attended by ministers and representatives of 88 countries and more than 900 businesswomen from all over the world.

It was preceded by an inspection tour made by Mrs Mubarak of the different pavilions of the summit's WEXPO which is being held to provide women in business with the opportunity to showcase their products or services to a global audience of businesswomen.