Gaza farming platform among Zayed Sustainability Prize winners announced at Cop28

Eleven winners announced across six categories will share increased prize fund of $5.9 million

President Sheikh Mohamed with Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stand for the national anthem during the Zayed Sustainability Prize for Climate Action, during COP28. All pictures, UAE Presidential Court unless stated.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the Presidential Court during the national anthem during the Zayed Sustainability Prize for Climate Action.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize for Climate Action was held at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai during Cop28.

President Sheikh Mohamed presents the Zayed Sustainability Prize to a winner

President Sheikh Mohamed and several high-level guests attended Expo City Dubai to see 11 winners announced across six categories.

President Sheikh Mohamed presents the Zayed Sustainability Prize to Victor Sanchez Gutierrez, the winner of the Zayed Sustainability Global High Schools - The Americas category.

In the energy category, the winner was Ignite Power from Rwanda, which specialises in delivering solar-powered pay-as-you-go solutions to electrify last-mile communities.

Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology delivers the welcome speech during the Zayed Sustainability Prize ceremony.

Over the past 15 years, the prize has been a powerful force for positive change, transforming the lives of more than 378 million people across 151 countries.

The annual prize was launched in 2008, named in honour of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, recognises and rewards people, organisations and high schools that have demonstrated exceptional efforts in promoting sustainability across various sectors.

President Sheikh Mohamed presents an award to Caroline Slootweg from Kelp Blue.

President Sheikh Mohamed handed out prizes to 11 winners. Judges for the award were elected in September by a panel.

The prize this year had a Climate Change category – introduced this year in celebration of the UAE's Year of Sustainability and Cop28

The Global High School winners were Colegio De Alto Rendimiento La Libertad (Peru), Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy (Nigeria), International School (Morocco), Northfleet Technology College (UK), Kort Education Complex (Pakistan) and Beijing No 35 High School (China).

President Sheikh Mohamed greets a participant during the Zayed Sustainability Prize for Climate Action.

The awards ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza coincided with the UAE's hosting of the Cop28 climate conference and was attended by global leaders.

The winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, stand for a photograph during a ceremony, at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai.

President Sheikh Mohamed handed out the prizes to the winners.

President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia during the Zayed Sustainability Prize.

Eleven winners announced across six categories will share a total prize fund of $3.6 million.

President Sheikh Mohamed and Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia at Al Wasl Plaza, at Expo City Dubai.

Expo City Dubai during the Zayed Sustainability Prize.

President Sheikh Mohamed hugs a winner of the award.

President Sheikh Mohamed smiles for a photograph with a winner.

A ceremony took place to mark the Zayed Sustainability Prize for Climate Action.

President Sheikh Mohamed shakes hands with prize winner, Victor Sanchez Gutierrez.

President Sheikh Mohamed and Cop28 President and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Dr Sultan Al Jaber stand for a photograph with the Zayed Sustainability Prize winners during Cop28 at Expo City Dubai.

President Sheikh Mohamed and several high-level guests attended Expo City Dubai to see 11 winners announced across six categories.

Ahmed Sourani from Gaza Urban & Peri-Urban Agricultural Platform winner of Zayed Sustainability Food category. Launched in 2013, the non-profit organisation helps small-scale, female urban producers in Gaza to achieve food security in their communities by bringing together those involved in developing the Palestinian agricultural sector.

Angela Homsi from Ignite Power, the winner of Zayed Sustainability Energy Category award after the presentation ceremony at the Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Caroline Slootweg from Kelp Blue winner of Zayed Sustainability Climate Action category award. Kelp Blue contributes to the restoration of natural ocean wilderness and the mitigation of excess CO2 by establishing large-scale kelp forests in deep waters. Pawan Singh / The National

Angela Homsi from Ignite Power winner of Zayed Sustainability Energy Category. Ignite Power specialises in delivering solar-powered pay-as-you-go solutions to electrify last-mile communities. Pawan Singh / The National

Zayed Sustainability prize winners after the presentation ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National

From left, Victor Sanchez Gutierrez and Xiomara Calderon Avila from Colegio De Alto Rendimiento De La Libertad, the winner of Zayed Sustainability Global High Schools The Americas category. Pawan Singh / The National

A platform empowering female farmers to bolster food security in their communities in Gaza was among the winners announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize ceremony on Friday.

President Sheikh Mohamed and several high-level guests attended Expo City Dubai to see 11 winners announced across six categories.

The winners will share a total prize fund of $5.9 million - boosted on Friday from $3.6m - for their pioneering solutions to transform lives and drive economic and environmental change around the world.

The awards ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza coincided with the UAE's hosting of the Cop28 climate conference and was attended by global leaders.

Palestine's Gaza Urban and Peri-urban Agricultural Platform was announced as the winner in the food category award.

Launched in 2013, the non-profit organisation helps small-scale, female urban producers in Gaza to achieve food security in their communities by bringing together those involved in developing the Palestinian agricultural sector.

The winner in the Climate Change category – introduced this year in celebration of the UAE's Year of Sustainability and Cop28 – was Kelp Blue, Namibia, which contributes to the restoration of natural ocean wilderness and the mitigation of excess CO2 by establishing large-scale kelp forests in deep waters.

The winner in the health category was Indonesia's doctorSHARE, a non-profit organisation dedicated to expanding healthcare access in remote regions using barge-mounted floating hospitals.

In the energy category, the winner was Ignite Power from Rwanda, which specialises in delivering solar-powered pay-as-you-go solutions to electrify last-mile communities.

In the water category, the winner was Eau et Vie, a non-profit organisation from France that offers individual taps to impoverished urban residents, ensuring access to clean water in slum areas.

The Global High School winners were Colegio De Alto Rendimiento La Libertad (Peru), Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy (Nigeria), International School (Morocco), Northfleet Technology College (UK), Kort Education Complex (Pakistan) and Beijing No 35 High School (China).

Changing the lives of millions

The annual prize was launched in 2008, named in honour of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, recognises and rewards people, organisations and high schools that have demonstrated exceptional efforts in promoting sustainability across various sectors.

Over the past 15 years, the prize has been a powerful force for positive change, transforming the lives of more than 378 million people across 151 countries.

“These remarkable changemakers, activists and entrepreneurs have improved the lives of millions with innovative, sustainable solutions, by bringing light to those who struggle in darkness, expanding renewable energy to remote villages that had no access to electricity whatsoever and ending generations of sickness with clean drinking water,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, director general of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and Cop28 President.

“Excellencies, the prize winners fully embody the values of the late Sheikh Zayed who had a vision for sustainable progress that was ahead of its time.

“He believed that real progress was only possible if we balanced the health of the planet with the wealth of nations; advancing the many, not the few, and encouraging the kindness of humankind.

“In short, he believed that being a great leader means first being a good human.”

Dr Al Jaber said the achievements of the prize winners “are an inspiration to all of us”.

“They prove that if high school students and small businesses can change countless lives, the leaders of nations can surely change the world,” he said.

“As Cop28 continues, let their expertise become the example that can guide for faster progress, higher ambition and a positive, global stocktake decision.

“Let their accomplishments drive us to keep 1.5°C within reach and let their humanity push us to advance humanity.”