Taawon Recognised As The Third 2026 Honouree At The Zayed Award For Human Fraternity Ceremony

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has named Palestinian non-profit Taawon as the third honouree of its seventh edition, with recognition to be conferred at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi on 4th February, alongside the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and Afghan advocate Zarqa Yaftali.

The latest announcement completes the list of three honourees for the seventh edition, following last week’s confirmation of the historic peace agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, and the selection of Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali as the other recipients for the 2026 cycle.

Established in 1983, Taawon has grown into a major Palestinian humanitarian and development organisation, investing more than US$1 billion in programmes across Palestine. Its initiatives cover education, youth empowerment, orphan support, cultural activities, restoration of historic towns, and wider community development efforts in health, agriculture and emergency humanitarian assistance.

The organisation reports that its activities benefit more than one million people each year across different Palestinian communities. Projects are designed to strengthen economic, social and cultural conditions, while also supporting essential services. Special emphasis is placed on youth, families in need and communities in marginalised or vulnerable areas facing long-term challenges.

According to the award organisers, Taawon has implemented more than 8,200 projects aimed at supporting Palestinians, with a strong focus on younger generations. These initiatives are intended to build resilience, widen life chances, and enhance communities, while preserving Palestinian heritage, promoting sustainable development and showcasing continuing cultural creativity.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, said the decision to select Taawon as the third 2026 honouree reflects recognition of sustained humanitarian work that has protected human dignity and reinforced the resilience of Palestinian society during complex and challenging conditions across many decades.

Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam also highlighted that Taawon has developed an institutional model for humanitarian and development action. The organisation’s work has shifted from short-term aid towards long-term investment in education, health, youth empowerment and social cohesion, in line with the award’s mission to translate human fraternity values into measurable support.

Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and Taawon’s future programmes

He noted that acknowledging Taawon corresponds with the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, by honouring organisations that convert ethical principles into programmes which assist communities in need and contribute to social stability, opportunity and mutual understanding.

Dr. Nabil H. Qaddumi, Chairman of Taawon’s Board of Directors, expressed pride in the organisation’s selection as a 2026 honouree and thanked the award’s judging committee, which consists of international specialists in dialogue and human coexistence, for recognising Taawon’s work and its long-term engagement with communities across Palestine.

Dr. Nabil H. Qaddumi stated that this recognition will offer Taawon renewed moral momentum and a stronger platform to present humanitarian and development priorities in Palestine. The international profile attached to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is expected to support further expansion of long-term education, health, youth and community development programmes.

The peace agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, also honoured in this edition, has been acknowledged by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who both expressed satisfaction that the joint recognition contributes to efforts to advance peace and stability across the wider Caucasus region.

Afghan advocate Zarqa Yaftali, another honouree in the seventh edition, has focused on defending girls’ education and women’s rights. Yaftali said the honour carries a powerful and inspiring message for the women of Afghanistan and offers renewed hope to girls and women worldwide, reinforcing the award’s broader humanitarian message.

Together, the recognition of Taawon, the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace agreement and Zarqa Yaftali highlights the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity’s emphasis on practical efforts that address conflict, social hardship and exclusion, while underlining the role of long-term investment in education, health and community resilience across different regions.

With inputs from WAM