President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honored the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in a ceremony hosted as part of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) at Expo City Dubai. The ceremony saw the presence of several heads of delegations participating in COP28, along with ministers, senior government officials, and prize winners and finalists.

The President congratulated the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, commending their efforts in sustainability. Emphasizing the UAE's commitment to build on Sheikh Zayed's legacy, the President praised the prize for advancing sustainable development. The prize recognizes and supports small enterprises, NGOs, and schools addressing health, food, energy, water, and climate challenges. Over 15 years, it has impacted 384 million lives. The Global High Schools category promotes youth engagement, with 47 schools positively impacting 55,186 students and 453,887 people in local communities.

The jury unanimously selected the eleven winners for this year's edition after a comprehensive review of all candidates. The assessment focused on evaluating their contributions and dedication to presenting innovative, impactful, and inspiring solutions across various prize categories, including Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.

During the ceremony, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President remarked, "In line with the vision and direction of the leadership, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has been contributing to inclusive sustainable development and advancing climate action for over 15 years. Today, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to stimulating action to mitigate climate change impacts, empowering communities in need of support, and creating positive change in the world, especially in the Global South."

The winners in the Climate Action category include Kelp Blue Namibia, recognized for cultivating seaweed forests, restoring ocean biodiversity, sequestering 100,000 tons of CO2 annually, and creating coastal jobs. In Health, DoctorSHARE from Indonesia was honoured for delivering healthcare through floating hospitals, treating over 160,000 patients. Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform (GUPAP) from Palestine won in the Food category, supporting local agriculture, providing jobs for 200 women, and benefiting over 7,000 individuals.

Ignite Power from Rwanda was acknowledged in the Energy category for providing affordable electricity to remote sub-Saharan African communities. The company has supplied solar power solutions to 2.5 million people through a pay-as-you-go model, preventing 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, they introduced innovative solar-powered irrigation solutions, generating 3,500 job opportunities in local communities.

In the Energy category, Rwanda's Ignite Power received recognition for its significant efforts in delivering affordable electricity to remote communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Through a pay-as-you-go model, the company has provided solar power solutions to 2.5 million people, preventing 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

In the Water category, the French non-profit Eau Et Vie was honored for installing home water taps in urban areas, benefiting 52,000 people across 27 neighborhoods. They also raised health awareness for 66,000 individuals and cut water costs by 75 percent.

The Chair of the Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, said, "This year's winners have demonstrated a remarkable wave of ingenuity in their solutions to address urgent global challenges. We have confidence that these winners will catalyse substantial and scalable change in communities worldwide, propelling us towards vital climate action objectives and forging a path to a sustainable future for all."

Image source: ANI