The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s leading award for innovative solutions to global challenges, has announced this year's finalists. A total of 33 finalists from 5,980 entries were chosen by the judging panel. The winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 14 January 2025 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The 5,980 submissions were received from 156 countries across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools – a 15 per cent increase in submissions over last year.
His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to honour the enduring legacy of Sheikh Zayed, whose visionary leadership in sustainability and humanitarianism guides the UAE’s mission to uplift livelihoods worldwide by fostering development in some of the most vulnerable regions.
“This cycle, we received an unprecedented number of submissions, with notable participation from the Global South and youth. In fact, this year's submissions reflect the three megatrends shaping our future, namely the rise of the Global South, the pace of the energy transition, and the growth of AI.
“These changemakers are tackling urgent environmental challenges head-on, while simultaneously advancing economic progress through innovative solutions. By leveraging emerging technologies, such as AI, carbon capture and removal, tidal energy, precision agriculture, biomimicry, and climate analytics, they are addressing the needs of the moment while inspiring the next generation to innovate and drive sustainability in impactful ways.”
Through the innovation and effort of the previous 117 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, 11.35 million people now have access to safe drinking water, 54 million homes benefit from reliable energy, 3.6 million people gained access to more nutritious food, and over 744,600 people have access to affordable healthcare.
His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Prize Jury, said: “This year’s prize finalists showcase the remarkable steps being taken around the world to address urgent needs with creativity and determination – offering a vision of a more sustainable future. From enhancing biodiversity and food security through innovative technology, to providing critical energy and healthcare solutions for underserved populations, these pioneers are reshaping our world.”
The Health finalists arePeriwinkle Technologies (India), Rology (Egypt), and Telemedan (Chad).
The Food finalists are ABALOBI (South Africa), NaFarm Foods (Nigeria), and Xinjiang Shawan Oasis Sustainable Development Institute (China).
The Energy finalists are D-Olivette Global Enterprise (Nigeria), Palki Motors (Bangladesh), and Turbulent (Belgium).
The Water finalists areElman Teknoloji (Türkiye), High Atlas Foundation (Morocco), and SkyJuice Foundation (Australia).
The Climate Action finalists are Distant Imagery (UAE), Hyera (US), and OpenMap Development Tanzania (Tanzania).
The Global High Schools’ finalists presented project-based, student-led sustainability solutions, with finalists divided into six regions.
The finalists from The Americas are Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos del Mar 07, Mexico; Institución Educativa San Nicolás de Tolentino, Colombia; and Mulgrave School, Canada.
The finalists from Sub-Saharan Africa are M-PESA Foundation Academy, Kenya; Sakafia Islamic Senior High School, Ghana; and St Kizito High School Namugongo, Uganda.
The finalists from the Middle East and North Africa are Benlahrech Said High School, Algeria; Merryland International School, UAE; and Obour STEM School, Egypt.
The finalists from Europe and Central Asia are Baku Modern Educational Complex, Azerbaijan; TEV Inanc Turkes High School, Türkiye; and Presidential School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The finalists from South Asia are Faafu Atoll Education Centre, Maldives; Girls Higher Secondary School, Pakistan; and Janamaitri Multiple Campus, Nepal.
The finalists from East Asia and the Pacific Beijing World Youth Academy, China; Te Pā o Rākaihautū, New Zealand; and Votualevu College, Fiji.
In the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, each winner receives US$1 million. Each of the six winning Global High Schools receives up to US$150,000.
