Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director recognised the value of SEED winners in the Green Economy at the 2012 SEED Symposium and International Award Ceremony, 29 March 2012, Pretoria, South Africa:

SEED has truly emerged as a gem in this array of international awards that recognises the pioneering efforts of individuals and organisations that often begin with an idea, struggle for years to try and find the support and the means by which to realize that vision, and ultimately through these awards are able to receive at least some recognition for their extraordinary role in trying to help build in what we in UNEP would refer to as 'the Green Economy'. The 2011 SEED winners have once again brought many examples of how we can build the green economy from the bottom up... 
These farmers, entrepreneurs, businessman and women are the foundation of our economy. They make our economy work by providing jobs, innovation, technology and ingenuity in the challenge on how to realise sustainable development, poverty eradication and sustainability…