The winners of the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity were announced on January 19. According to an official statement, the award ceremony will be held on February 4, in celebration of the International Day of Human Fraternity, at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
The recipients include the delegations of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, which signed the historic peace agreement between the two countries on August 8, 2025, in the United States, as well as Zarqa Yaftali, a long-standing advocate for girls’ education in Afghanistan, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.
This marks the first time the International Committee has honoured winners from the Caucasus and Afghanistan.
Peace as an ongoing journey
The decision to recognize the agreement between the two Caucasus nations, the statement explains, acknowledges “a process of peace, dialogue, normalization, and conflict resolution” undertaken by both States, and emphasizes that reconciliation “is not a single act, but a continuous journey.”
The agreement is described as the result of “a historic decision guided by far-sighted leadership,” aimed at ending decades of conflict and humanitarian suffering in the Caucasus.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the award as “a great honour,” recognizing the efforts made in support of “this historic agreement.”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev likewise underlined the significance of the prize, noting that it bears the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, and is supported by Pope Leo XIV and Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.
A voice for Afghan girls
Zarqa Yaftali is described in the statement as “a courageous woman who has devoted her entire life to safeguarding the right to education for women and children.”
Through her work, she has provided resources, psychosocial support, and essential services to more than 100,000 people across Afghanistan, offering hope to young women living in extremely challenging conditions.
Reacting to the news, Ms. Yaftali said she was “deeply moved” by the award, calling it “a strong and meaningful message” for Afghan women.
She stressed that the recognition offers hope and courage, particularly to students attending online schools and young women enrolled in courses on peace, security and leadership.
Promoting dialogue and coexistence The winners were selected by an independent international jury, which includes Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
The Secretary General of the Zayed Award, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, said that honouring Armenia and Azerbaijan reflects the very mission of the prize: “to promote and foster a culture of dialogue and coexistence.”
He noted that the agreement brings to an end nearly four decades of tension and conflict in the Caucasus, laying “solid foundations for a shared and more secure future for both peoples.”
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, said the Committee wished to recognize Zarqa Yaftali in particular for her commitment to women’s empowerment in a context marked by profound challenges.
Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, added that the choice of the 2026 laureates reflects a global moral commitment to peace and human dignity and sends a renewed message of hope to the international community.
Inspired by the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis and Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi in 2019, and rooted in the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Award honours individuals and organizations that contribute to building a more peaceful, harmonious, and compassionate world grounded in the values of human fraternity.
Since its establishment, the award has been presented to 19 recipients from 19 countries.
