1.   It is the first time the prize has recognized environmental research.

2.   In previous years, the prize has recognized work stretching from mathematics to social sciences.

3.   The IAPA prize recognizes work supporting the Declaration of Chapultepec.

4.   The prize recognizes individuals, groups and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for sustainable development, human rights, tolerance, equality and peace.

5.   The prize also can recognize years of effort.

6.   The science, medicine and economics prizes recognized men who made discoveries that the Nobel prize committees consider outstanding contributions to contemporary knowledge.

7.   The prize also recognized the Algerian press as a whole, much of which has come under severe attack by Islamic fundamentalists.