In order to recognise outstanding achievements in today's most relevant Global Governance challenge areas, we have aligned our award categories with the eight areas of our Global Governance Model™.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Peace & Security Award is given to individuals for their contributions toward peaceful co-existence and cooperation. Peace is generally defined as the absence of war or violence. In order to be eligible for an award, the candidate must therefore have made a clear, demonstrable effort toward improving relations between peoples and decreasing the likelihood of armed conflict or violence.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Economic & Social Policy Award is bestowed upon individuals, institutions and states to reward their efforts and achievements in promoting good social and economic policies. In order to be eligible for the Gold Mercury Award, the candidate must have developed or put into practice an economic model or theory that promotes stability between the state and society, and social well-being.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Resources Award is granted to individuals, companies and organisations that deliver new initiatives towards resource renewal, preservation and equal distribution as well as efforts towards tackling such challenges as water contamination, resource depletion, deforestation and supply shortages. In order to be eligible for the Gold Mercury Global Resources Award, the candidate must have made major contributions towards promoting these initiatives.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Environment Award is given to global corporations, organisations and individuals for their contributions to environmental sustainability. In order to be eligible for this award, candidates must either strongly support or uphold environmentally friendly practices or have found new ways of further protecting the environment.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury International Law & Humanitarian Affairs Award is given to individuals and organisations in recognition of their efforts in the fields of international law and humanitarian affairs. In order to be eligible for an award in this category, the candidate must have highly contributed to international cooperation, foreign policy and diplomacy or advanced the basic human rights of a certain population.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Culture Award recognises and rewards initiatives that promote cultural sustainability. In order to be eligible for an award in this category, the candidate must have shown a true commitment to advancing society, education, cultural understanding and the honest, impartial and open communication of information to the public.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Science & Technology Award is given to individuals, corporations and institutions for significant achievements within the field. In order to be eligible for the award, the candidate must represent responsible, forward-looking and ethical practice in their contribution to scientific and technological process, recognizing their obligation to society as a whole.

Criteria: The Gold Mercury Global Health Award rewards individuals, organisations and corporations for significant achievements within the health sector. In order to be eligible for an award in this category, the candidate must have made crucial advances or technological progress in one or more areas that have implications for people's health and well-being.