Zayed Sustainability Prize transforms lives of millions

As the UAE prepares to announce the latest winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize next month, the pioneering award continues to reinforce its position as one of the world's most influential platforms for advancing sustainable development and community impact.

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Established in 2008 to honour the legacy and values of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize has grown over 17 years into a catalyst for innovation that has transformed communities across more than 150 countries.

This year, the Prize recorded its largest-ever global participation, receiving 7,761 submissions from 173 countries for the 2026 awards cycle, a 30 percent increase from the previous year.

Entrants are competing across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.

The surge reflects a rapidly growing international interest in scalable, high-impact solutions, particularly those powered by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and financial technology tools.

Analysis of the 2026 submissions indicates that 85 percent originated from developing or emerging economies, highlighting the Prize's growing relevance in regions where sustainable solutions are most urgently needed.

India, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Indonesia ranked among the top contributing nations, representing a broad spectrum of global innovation.