Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025 Awards Celebrate Global Innovators Driving Sustainable Development Solutions

The Zayed Sustainability Prize for 2025 honoured 11 innovative organisations and high schools globally. This award highlights the UAE's dedication to promoting scalable solutions to worldwide issues and supporting communities in achieving sustainable prosperity. During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the awards, emphasising the UAE's commitment to fostering sustainable development through innovation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that the prize motivates impactful solutions addressing social and environmental challenges. By supporting these initiatives, the UAE not only creates a more sustainable future but also honours the legacy of Sheikh Zayed. His vision for global progress and humanitarianism continues to inspire, according to His Highness.

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His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, praised the winners for their innovative solutions tackling pressing global challenges. He stated, "Today, we recognise a remarkable group of organisations and high schools that are driving tangible progress toward a more prosperous future." The winners demonstrate how advanced technologies like AI can enhance local resilience and deliver transformative impacts worldwide.

The 2025 prize recipients were chosen by a distinguished jury across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Former President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson chaired the jury. He noted that this year's winners have shown extraordinary innovation in addressing critical global issues such as climate change while improving access to healthcare, energy, food, and water in underserved areas.

In Health, India's Periwinkle Technologies was recognised for its portable AI-enabled cervical cancer screening device. This device operates without electricity and provides results within 30 seconds at the point of care. It has already screened over 300,000 women across India, significantly improving health outcomes.

Nigeria's NaFarm Foods won in the Food category for its hybrid solar food dryers that reduce post-harvest losses and carbon emissions. These dryers have benefited over 65,000 farmers across six Nigerian states while empowering over 18,000 women and youth through upskilling programmes.

Palki Motors from Bangladesh received recognition in the Energy category for its affordable electric vehicles designed for commercial drivers. Priced at USD 4,990, these vehicles meet regional transportation needs. Palki Motors also operates solar-powered battery swap stations benefiting over 23,000 people.

Global Impact Through Sustainable Practices

Australia's SkyJuice Foundation was awarded in the Water category for its gravity-powered water treatment solution using low-pressure membrane filters. Their SkyHydrant model provides clean drinking water without chemicals or external energy sources. Over three million people across 74 countries have benefited from their installations.

OpenMap Development Tanzania won in Climate Action for its mapping solutions combining community-driven data with advanced technologies like drones and GIS. This initiative has benefited 140,000 people and created jobs while engaging youth in community health efforts.

The Global High Schools category empowers young leaders to drive sustainability progress locally. As of 2025, winners have impacted over 56,599 students and 480,660 people worldwide through various initiatives promoting clean energy access and climate resilience.

Empowering Future Leaders

The Global High Schools awardees include Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos del Mar No. 07 (Mexico), Sakafia Islamic Senior High School (Ghana), Merryland International School (UAE), Presidential School in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Janamaitri Multiple Campus (Nepal), and Te Pā o Rākaihautū (New Zealand). These schools represent different regions globally.

Their projects focus on providing access to clean energy, nutritious food, safe water, improved healthcare services while strengthening climate resilience efforts within their communities.

The achievements of these winners reflect the Zayed Sustainability Prize's commitment to advancing sustainable innovation globally by empowering communities through impactful solutions addressing critical challenges effectively.

With inputs from WAM