Towards Awards at ‘COP28’ – ‘Zayed Sustainability Prize’ Reveals 33 Finalists
Abu Dhabi, September 12 – The Zayed Sustainability Prize, a leading global award initiated by the United Arab Emirates to honor innovative sustainability solutions, has announced the finalists for this year’s edition following deliberations by the judging committee.
The winners will be unveiled at the awards ceremony, taking place on December 1 during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP28) hosted by the UAE from November 30 to December 12.
The committee has selected 30 finalists in six categories, covering health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools. This year, the prize received a record 5,213 submissions, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous cycle. Notably, the climate action category, introduced in alignment with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and preparations for the COP28 conference, attracted approximately 3,178 participants.
The list of finalists includes small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and high schools from Brazil, Indonesia, Rwanda, and 27 other countries, reflecting the growing global reach of the award and its continuous commitment to honoring innovations that address pressing global challenges across different corners of the world.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the appointed President of the COP28 conference, and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said, “The Prize continues to make a tangible positive impact and elevate communities worldwide in line with the visionary leadership’s vision and inspired by the legacy of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, in the fields of sustainability and humanitarian work. Over the past fifteen years, the Prize has improved the lives of over 378 million people in 151 countries by honoring and supporting innovative solutions that drive economic development and address climate crises, particularly in the most climate-affected communities.”
He added, “This edition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize received a record number of entries from every continent. The proposed innovations by the finalists offer effective solutions to a range of urgent climate change-related challenges, demonstrating the Prize’s strong commitment to creating wide-ranging change to build a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet. The qualified solutions align with the four pillars of the climate agenda that the UAE seeks to achieve during its hosting of COP28, aiming to accelerate the achievement of an organized, responsible, and equitable transition in the energy sector, develop climate financing performance, preserve human lives and improve quality of life and livelihoods, and ensure complete inclusivity.”
Through its previous laureates, totaling 106 winners, the Prize has enabled 11 million people to access safe drinking water, delivered clean energy to 54 million households, provided nutritious food to 3.5 million individuals, and offered affordable healthcare to more than 728,000 people.
In his remarks, Mr. Olavur Ragnar Grimsson, the Chairman of the Prize’s Jury Committee, said, “The solutions presented by this year’s finalists reflect the exceptional efforts being made worldwide to harness innovation to meet pressing contemporary needs amidst growing climate challenges. This reaffirms the Prize’s ongoing role in positively changing the world by providing a supportive platform for sustainability pioneers. The solutions stand out for their innovation and diversity, addressing a wide range of challenges, including the restoration of ocean life, the use of technology to enhance agricultural crop productivity, and improving access to affordable healthcare services in communities most in need.”
Among the finalists in the health category are:
- “Alkion Biopharmaceuticals,” a small and medium-sized enterprise in France that specializes in producing sustainable and cost-effective active components for widely-used medicines and vaccines.
- “Child Life Foundation,” a non-profit organization in Pakistan that employs an innovative healthcare model (Hub and Spoke) to connect emergency rooms with remote telemedicine centers via satellites.
- “DoctorSHARE Foundation,” a non-profit organization in Indonesia working to expand healthcare services into remote areas using floating hospitals aboard ships.
In the food category, the finalists include:
- “Gaza Urban Farming Forum,” a non-profit organization in Palestine aiming to empower female entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector in Gaza to enhance food security in their communities.
- “Regen Organics,” a small and medium-sized enterprise in Kenya producing protein derived from insects for livestock feed and organic fertilizers to support horticultural crop production.
- “Semilla Nueva,” a non-profit organization in Guatemala specializing in the production of fortified corn seeds.
These finalists represent a diverse and innovative cohort of individuals and organizations committed to addressing global challenges while furthering the mission of sustainability. The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to inspire positive change on a global scale, supporting solutions that make a difference in our world.
