Zayed Sustainability Prize is a leading global award launched by the United Arab Emirates to honor innovative sustainability solutions.
The submissions for the 2025 edition prize stopped recently.
Submission to 2025 edition prize has stopped, after receiving 5,980 applications from 156 countries across its six categories:
Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.
Winners will be announced during the prize distribution ceremony scheduled for January 14, 2025, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Who Submitted to Zayed Sustainability Prize ?
This year, Zayed Sustainability Prize witnessed a significant increase in submissions—up by 15% compared to the previous year.
The submissions are coming from small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and high schools.
A substantial number of applications across all categories demonstrated a clear focus on utilizing artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, 3D printing, and biotechnology.
This reflects the high potential of technological innovation in driving sustainability progress.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber emphasized the prize’s role in promoting comprehensive and sustainable development.
Guided by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the prize supports innovative solutions that address urgent global challenges.
It also have a tangible impact on communities worldwide.
What are the most active participating countries ?
This year’s submissions were characterized by unprecedented diversity, highlighting the impact of climate change on different countries across continents.
Emerging markets led the list of most active participating countries.
Underscoring the growing interest of developing nations in finding innovative solutions to bridge sustainability gaps.
Top participating countries included Brazil, India, Kenya, Egypt, the UAE, and the United States.
The prize accepted submissions in multiple languages this year to enhance inclusivity and broaden participation across diverse regions and cultures.
Mentioning that the languages included:
Arabic, English, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Categories
In terms of category breakdown, Food and Climate Action received the highest number of applications.
1,255 and 1,532, respectively, followed by Health with 997 submissions.
Global High Schools received 906 applications, while Energy and Water received 669 and 621 applications, respectively.
Notably, the Food category saw a decrease in submissions compared to the previous year.
As there is huge focus on sustainable food production through innovations like agricultural technology (Agtech) to enhance food system resilience.
Most solutions in the Climate Action category addressed issues related to forest degradation and carbon emissions.
Reflecting efforts by institutions to restore soil, enhance biodiversity, and promote environmental sustainability.
Expanding access to sustainable energy in vulnerable communities.
Health category small and medium-sized enterprises and non-profit organizations emphasized improving access to healthcare and disease prevention through:
Innovative technologies, community programs, and partnerships, particularly in underserved areas.
Moreover, the Energy category received numerous submissions from institutions.
These institutions are aiming to expand access to sustainable energy in vulnerable communities.
There was also an increased focus on emerging technologies.
Such as hydrogen fuel systems, energy storage, and electric mobility.
#Sheikh_Zayed_Grand_Mosque achieves first place in the Middle East among the most important attractions, and third place globally in the category of cultural and historical experiences, according to a report published by “#TripAdvisor” for the year 2024, based on an analysis of… pic.twitter.com/Y0XfAqlOlT
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) July 12, 2024
Regarding the Water category, many submissions aimed to enhance water access through:
Innovative solutions, emphasizing water conservation, advanced recycling techniques and filtration processes.
In addition to comprehensive treatment systems that ensure secure water resources for all.
Lastly, the Global High Schools category witnessed a twofold increase in submissions compared to the previous year.
This reflects youth awareness of sustainability challenges and their determination to play an active role in promoting sustainable practices.
Zayed Sustainability Prize Value Reaches $1 million
Over the past 16 years, Zayed Sustainability Prize has improved the living conditions of more than 384 million people.
It continues to expand its global impact to advance progress in sustainable development and humanitarian action.
The prize for each winner, in the health, food, energy, water and climate work categories, is $1 million.
While the value of the global secondary school category prize is distributed to six schools.
Representing six regions of the world for each winning school to receive $ 150 thousand.
