The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, has announced its 2026 winners, awarding a total of US$5.9 million to 11 organisations and high schools. The ceremony, held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), celebrated 18 years of the prize’s commitment to empowering communities and driving sustainable progress worldwide.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, awarded the winners for their outstanding contributions. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “The UAE remains firmly committed to supporting efforts that enhance people’s well-being and strengthen the foundations of stability and progress around the world. The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to encourage practical solutions that uplift communities and expand opportunity through innovation and cooperation.”
A Legacy of Global Impact
Since its establishment in 2008, the prize has become a significant catalyst for impact, scaling solutions that have now reached more than 411 million people globally. This year, the prize saw a record 7,761 submissions from 173 countries, highlighting its growing international prestige and reach.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, praised the winners for their scalable innovations. “This year’s winners demonstrate how practical, real-world solutions can transform lives — from strengthening health and food systems to expanding access to clean energy and water,” he stated. “Through the Zayed Sustainability Prize, this vision is translated into action by supporting innovations that put people first and open new pathways for growth.”
Highlighting MENA Innovation
Among the distinguished winners, UAE-based SME Jade was honoured in the Health category for its innovative approach to neurodevelopmental screening. The company uses an AI-powered, gamified platform that combines cognitive assessments and eye-tracking to create personalised learning paths.
Currently used in over 450 institutions across 179 countries, Jade’s technology significantly reduces diagnostic wait times and has already supported more than 180,000 children, setting a new standard for inclusive early intervention.
Global Innovators Across Key Sectors
The prize also recognised several international organisations for their groundbreaking work:
Food: N&E Innovations from Singapore was awarded for its biodegradable antimicrobial packaging made from upcycled food waste, extending the shelf life of food products.
Energy: Switzerland’s BASE Foundation was recognised for its “Cooling-as-a-Service” model, which makes low-carbon cooling affordable and accessible in 68 countries.
Water: Stattus4, an SME from Brazil, won for its AI and IoT-enabled technology that helps utility companies detect and repair water leaks with high precision, saving billions of litres of water daily.
Climate Action: Build up Nepal, a nonprofit, was celebrated for its work in producing earthquake-resistant eco-bricks, which has helped build over 12,000 resilient homes and created nearly 2,000 green jobs.
Fostering the Next Generation
The Global High Schools category continues to empower youth by providing funding for student-led sustainability projects. This year’s six regional winners include Al Rajaa School for the Deaf from Jordan, representing the Middle East & North Africa. Other winners were Mamawi Atosketan Native School (Canada), Kyanja High School (Uganda), Bodrum Anatolian High School (Türkiye), Faafu Atoll Education Center (Maldives), and Ruamrudee International School (Thailand).
About The Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges. A tribute to the legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize aims to drive sustainable development worldwide. Each year, across the Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools categories, the Prize rewards organisations and high schools for groundbreaking solutions to our planet’s most pressing needs.
Source: MEA TechWatch
