Friends of the Earth International today welcomed the news that Dr Wangari Maathai, had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her social and environmental work. Maathai, a patron of Friends of the Earth International, is the first African woman to win the prize.

Meena Raman, Chair of Friends of the Earth International, said: "Wangari Maathai is indeed a very distinguished African environmentalist who has made an incredible contribution to improving the environment and society, not only in Africa but the world as a whole. We sincerely hope that the award of this prize will further boost her energy and efforts towards further improvements to the African environment which continues to face enormous challenges in the 21st Century."

Added Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA) director Nnimmo Bassey: "This is a great testimony to the resolute struggles of a great woman."

Maathai is founder of the Kenya-based Green Belt Movement, a grassroots group comprised mainly of women, which says it has planted 25-30 million trees across Africa. She has served as Kenyan Assistant Minister for the Environment since 2003.