The 2026 laureates of the influential "Zayed Award for Human Fraternity," aimed at strengthening peace, social justice, and interfaith harmony in the United Arab Emirates, were announced. This year, the award was bestowed upon the historic peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and human rights defender Zarqa Yaftali.
Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the only representative from Central Asia on the award's judging panel, congratulated the laureates.
"It is a great honor for me to participate in the judging panel of the international 'Zayed Award for Human Fraternity' and to sincerely congratulate the 2026 laureates. The peace agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia clearly demonstrated that even long-standing complex conflicts can be resolved," said Saida Mirziyoyeva.
She also specially acknowledged the work of Afghan rights defender Zarqa Yaftali, emphasizing that her many years of efforts to defend girls' right to education are capable of changing the future of entire societies.
"For me, both peace and girls' rights to education are important values intrinsically linked to the stability and development of societies," said the Head of the Presidential Administration.
It is reported that the award ceremony will take place on February 4, 2026, on the International Day of Human Fraternity established by the UN.
