The search is on for the next recipients of the prestigious Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which comes with a $1 million prize. Nominations for the 2026 edition are now open, inviting individuals and organizations worldwide who have made remarkable contributions to fostering unity, coexistence, and humanitarian values.
Launched in 2019, the annual award honors those who embody the spirit of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Over the past six years, the initiative has recognized 16 recipients across various fields, including humanitarian aid, education, sustainability, and refugee support.
According to His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, the award has gained global recognition, attracting thousands of nominations each year. He emphasized that the initiative continues to highlight influential figures championing peaceful coexistence and social solidarity.
The call for nominations follows the recent recognition of the 2025 awardees, which included Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for her climate advocacy, the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) for its disaster relief efforts, and 15-year-old health innovator Heman Bekele for his groundbreaking low-cost solution to combat early-stage skin cancer.
Nominations are open until October 1, 2025, and can be submitted by eligible individuals such as academics, spiritual leaders, and government officials through the award’s official website: zayedaward.org.
