Zayed Award was given to a woman from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan
The winners of the 2026 Zayed International Human Fraternity Award have been announced. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This year, the award will be presented to Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Afghan human rights defender Zarka Yaftali. This is a historic event, as for the first time representatives from the Caucasus region and Afghanistan have been honored with this award.
The jury regarded the peace agreement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan as an important step aimed at ending long-standing conflicts and reducing humanitarian suffering. The Secretary-General of the award, Mohamed Abdelsalam, emphasized that this agreement serves to ensure a secure future for both peoples.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called this award a recognition of the joint efforts of the government and society. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described the international community’s appreciation of peace initiatives as a significant event for the entire region.
The second winner, Zarka Yaftali, was awarded for her activities in protecting the rights of women and children to education. As a result of her efforts, more than 100,000 people have benefited from educational resources and psychological support.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highly praised Yaftali’s leadership. Zarka Yaftali stated that this award is a symbol of hope for Afghan women.
The award winners were selected by an independent international panel. The panel includes Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration; former President of the European Council Charles Michel; former Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat; UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell; and other distinguished figures.
Saida Mirziyoyeva emphasized that the announcement of the award reflects a commitment to peace and human values and brings new hope to the international community. The award ceremony will take place on February 4, 2026, International Human Fraternity Day, at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
The event is scheduled to begin at 18:00 Tashkent time. This award was established in 2019, inspired by the humanitarian legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the joint document signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayeb.
To date, 19 laureates from various countries have been honored with the award.
