NEW YORK-MAY 20: 5th Women Together Awards Ceremony on May 20, 2009 at the United Nations headquarters, New York City, NY. A vigorous promoter of the arts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo and Spanish actor Antonio Banderas received awards from the Women Together organization at an event held at the United Nations on Wednesday. The awards are presented annually and serve to highlight the work of exceptional individuals across the world who symbolize the core values of Women Together. Women Together, a non-profit organization in consultative status with the United Nation's ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) aims to spread awareness of the UN's Millennium Development Goals. Kanoo received the award for her efforts over the last 15 years to promote art, culture and music throughout Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, especially amidst women and the youth. In 1996 Kanoo formed the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). A non-profit organization striving to advocate classical music, arts, education and culture, ADMAF regularly hosts a range of cultural events. Events include the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival which sees artists from across the world perform. ADMAF also supports student involvement in the arts and created a program called Abu Dhabi Young Press Leaders, which the organization says is designed to "foster a generation of media leaders." Kanoo is one of the first recipients of the award from the the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region which consists of six Arab states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Kanoo shared the spotlight with 9 other award recipients including Spanish actor Antonio Banderas. Banderas was honored for his work as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. His efforts have taken him to countries like Somalia, where he said he was touched by the plight of children impacted by conflicts. The Women Together Awards are granted annually to outstanding individuals whose personal and professional efforts have made them symbols, icons and examples to younger generations. Past recipients of the award include Hillary Clinton; Queen Rania of Jordan; Journalist Rosa María Calaf and Nobel Peace Prize winners: Muhammad Yunus and Shirin Ebadi. The Women Together Organization was created in 1996 as a non government organization, and is supported by HM Queen Sofia of Spain as Honorary President. The Organization has special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and is associated with the UN programme for poverty eradication. PHOTO CREDIT: ©ManhattanSociety.com by Marie Papp | personal website: http://www.mariepapp.com | tel:201.659.1978 | e-mail: marie@mariepapp.com | "The Knot 2008 Best of Weddings Pick", Marie is available around the world for weddings and portraits.