Abu Dhabi, UAE – His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, attended today the ceremony honoring the recipients of the seventh Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for 2026, held at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony was attended by a number of sheikhs, ministers, senior officials, and international figures.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated the honorees: His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan and His Excellency Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, in recognition of the historic peace agreement between their two countries. He also congratulated Zarqa Yaftali for her role in promoting the education of Afghan girls, and the Palestinian Cooperation Foundation for its humanitarian efforts in supporting the Palestinian people. His Highness affirmed that their achievements embody the humanitarian values that promote cooperation and preserve human dignity, and that they contribute to building a more advanced and prosperous future.
During the ceremony, the Azerbaijani President expressed his pride in receiving this honor, named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and praised the UAE’s vision for development, modernization, and progress. He explained that the UAE has become a global model for building modern states and promoting human dialogue among peoples. The Armenian Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of continuing peace efforts to ensure a future of cooperation and prosperity between the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
For her part, Zarqa Yaftali affirmed that the honor carries a message and a responsibility to support girls and women in Afghanistan. She also explained that the future begins with opening opportunities for every girl and woman without exception. Dr. Nabil Al-Qaddumi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Cooperation Foundation, highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing role for more than four decades. He stated that the Foundation promotes development and human empowerment in Palestine.
The ceremony included the presentation of congratulatory messages from international leaders, including the King of Jordan and the Presidents of Lebanon, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. The leaders affirmed that the honorees embody the values of human fraternity and send a message of hope to the world. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is awarded annually with a prize of one million dollars to individuals and institutions that contribute to promoting peace and human coexistence. This year’s celebration coincides with the International Day of Human Fraternity and the seventh anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. The UAE reaffirms its leading role in promoting the values of peace and tolerance globally.
