New York, Nov 17 (IANS) Asia Society New York has presented its Global Vision Award to Mukesh Ambani, head of India's Reliance Industries Ltd. at a gala event honoring global leaders who help promote understanding between Asians and Americans.

In 2009, Ambani was ranked fifth best performing CEO in the world by the Harvard Business Review and Reliance Industries, Ltd. was ranked the 15th most innovative company in the world in a survey conducted by Business Week and BCG.

Also honoured at the event here Tuesday night were General Electric Co. (GE) Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt, who received Asia Society's Global Leadership Award and the New York Philharmonic, America's oldest symphony orchestra, which got the Cultural Ambassador Award in recognition of its bridge-building concerts around the globe.

Asia Society New York's Annual Awards Dinner began in 1979 and continues to connect leaders and luminaries from the corporate, political, social, and arts communities. The gala event is the Society's major annual fundraiser in support of its activities.

Founded in 1956, Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders and institutions of the United States and Asia.