New York, May 17, 2002 – Tonight at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. CEMEX will receive the 2002 WEC Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement. This award is presented annually to recognize and honor a corporation that demonstrates preeminent leadership and contributes to worldwide environmental quality.

Mr. Lorenzo H. Zambrano, Chairman of the Board and CEO of CEMEX will accept the award on behalf of the 25,000 employees in more than 33 countries and in recognition of the company’s global leadership in sustainable development. Mr. Harrison Ford, actor and conservationist will present the award at the WEC Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony and Dinner.

Over 650 dignitaries from government, industry, and international agencies, the diplomatic corps, NGO’s, academia and the media will attend.

"We are pleased to honor CEMEX for their outstanding environmental achievement. The serious commitment that CEMEX has made to sustainability will serve as a model of industry leadership for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg," said John Mizroch, President and CEO of the New York-based World Environment Center.

CEMEX is being honored for developing and implementing company-wide the Environmental Management System (EMS) policy. CEMEX is committed to employing cutting edge technology in its operational process in order to assure energy and materials efficiency, to promote environmental culture with all constituencies and use the most effective systems to protect its employees, neighboring communities, facilities and the environment. The company’s Signature Contribution is based on the creation of a comprehensive array of achievements, that demonstrate superiority in the areas of Policy, Implementation and leadership, guided by a philosophy and operational goal the company refers to as En Armonia con la Naturaleza a Spanish phrase for "In Harmony with Nature." This philosophy has translated into specific actions in the form of a world-class eco-efficiency program, international environmental education and significant socially responsible outreach efforts, applying a global approach to setting and meeting strong company-wide environmental standards, and achieving balance throughout its worldwide operations. All of these accomplishments will serve as a seminal example for responsible growth and sustainable development worldwide.

About CEMEX
CEMEX operations spread across the world’s most dynamic and vibrant cement markets of four continents and ranks as the third largest in global production and marketing of cement and ready-mix products. Augmented by its deep knowledge of the local markets together with its global network and information technology systems, CEMEX provides world-class products and services to its customers from individual homebuilders to large industrial contracts.

About WEC
WEC is an independent, not-for-profit and non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development and social responsibility, encourages environmental leadership, and helps improve environmental, health and safety practices worldwide. Founded in 1974, the Center serves as a bridge for collaboration, partnership and the exchange of information between industry, government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and other sectors. The WEC accomplishes this through its International Environment Forum, WEC Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement and its international technical cooperation programs.

Previous recipients of the WEC Gold Medal are: The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, International Paper Company, Eastman Kodak Company; Philips Electronics N.V., Compaq Computer Corporation, Alcoa, Ciba-Geigy Limited, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Xerox Corporation, Procter & Gamble Company, Rohm and Haas Company, IBM Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, The BP Group, E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company Exxon Corporation and 3M.