Former Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan has received the 2018 United Nations Award in recognition of her contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UN Malaysia, in a statement, said that other two recipients who received the same award were non-profit charity MyKasih Foundation and the National Ozone Unit of the Environment Department.

The award was presented in conjunction with the 73rd anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations charter in an event officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong today.

It said that the award honours the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations that embody the underlying principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in three categories, namely human rights and governance; leaving no one behind; and environmental sustainability.

A new UN logo, which includes 17 colours representing the SDGs, was also revealed at the ceremony.

"Human rights and the SDGs are two sides of the same coin. The SDGs provice the targets, planning and monitoring mechanisms. While human rights arms us with the minimum standards, safeguards and legal backup to ensure that everybody benefits from the fruits of development," said the UN resident coordinator in Malaysia, Stefan Priesner.

The UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, in a video message, highlighted global challenges to overcome, which included extreme poverty, inequality, climate change, protecting human rights, and working to end conflicts around the world.