The award was presented to Pachauri by Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the closing ceremony of a seminar on "Innovative Thinking for Global Challenges: Constructing the G-20 Agenda for the future", TERI said in a statement here today.
"I feel deeply honoured at this privilege granted to me by President Calderon, a leader whose statesmanship is an inspiration and powerful message for leaders across the world," Pachauri said after receiving the honour.
"I dedicate this honour to the causes I work for and for the benefit of the world's poor who are very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change", he said.
The award is the highest decoration awarded by Mexico to foreigners for their contributions to the Mexican nation or to the humankind, in compliance with the Civil Awards Act and the mandate of a specially appointed council.