Zayed Award For Human Fraternity Reveals 2025 Honorees Including Mia Amor Mottley And World Central Kitchen
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has revealed its 2025 honorees. This year, the award recognises Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian organisation; and Heman Bekele, a 15-year-old health innovator. The award celebrates individuals and organisations making significant contributions to societal issues and promoting peace globally and locally.
Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founder, this award honours his humanitarian legacy. It acknowledges efforts in fostering unity among diverse communities. The recipients will be celebrated on 4th February at 7 pm UAE time during the sixth edition of the ceremony at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi. The event will be livestreamed on the award's social media platforms.
Mia Amor Mottley was chosen for her leadership in climate policy. She initiated the Bridgetown Initiative in 2022 to reform global financial systems considering climate inequality. Her commitment includes achieving 100% renewable energy for Barbados by 2030 through investments in solar and wind energy. Mottley has also pioneered debt-for-climate swaps, allowing countries to redirect national debt towards climate resilience projects.
World Central Kitchen (WCK), founded by Chef José Andrés in 2010, provides food relief during crises. WCK has delivered over 300 million meals across more than 30 countries since its inception. In Gaza alone, they have provided over 70 million meals since October 2023. By partnering with local chefs and suppliers, WCK supports local economies while ensuring fresh meals reach those in need quickly.
Youth-Driven Innovation
Heman Bekele, an Ethiopian American teenager, is recognised for his healthcare innovations aimed at vulnerable populations. At just 14, he developed an affordable soap to prevent early-stage skin cancer, earning him TIME's 'Kid of the Year' title in 2024. Bekele collaborates with researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to advance this life-saving product and aims to expand healthcare access globally.
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, expressed pride in recognising these honorees tackling urgent global challenges like climate resilience and humanitarian relief. "This year's recipients demonstrate that transformative work can be undertaken at any age, in any place in the world," he said.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a member of the judging committee and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, praised the honorees for their dedication to improving lives worldwide. "Their dedication reflects the spirit of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity," she stated.
The achievements of Mottley, World Central Kitchen, and Bekele exemplify how individuals from diverse backgrounds can drive meaningful change. Their work inspires others to envision a better future through unity and commitment to humanity.
With inputs from WAM
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