"I dedicate this award to all the citizens of Rotterdam," said Aboutaleb during a ceremony in the town hall of the city, during which he received a standing ovation from the audience.

Aboutaleb, 53, won the award because he represents the public face of a city that has changed positively, according to Dutch publication.

'' The buildings such as the new Central Station and the covered market Markthal drew worldwide attention to Rotterdam and changed in a positive way the reputation of the city, '' said Elsevier Wednesday.

This distinction is also a way to reward the mayor of Rotterdam for his probity when dealing with many social issues ranging from drug production to the phenomenon of jihadists, it is added.

Last July, Ahmed Aboutaleb was the first Moroccan Muslim, to be named mayor of a major European city and has been reelected for a second term as head of the municipality of the Dutch economic capital and port. The current mandate expires next January.

The price of Elsevier was won last year by the director of the Rijksmuseum (National Museum), Wim Pijbes. In 2012, the award went to Queen Beatrix.