OSLO, Dec 10: Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai on Friday received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and said protecting the environment was vital to promote peace and democracy.

"Industry and global institutions must appreciate that ensuring economic justice, equity and ecological integrity are of greater value than profits at any cost," said Ms Maathai, Kenya's assistant minister for the environment since 2003, who is the first environmentalist to receive the prestigious prize. -AFP