Abu Dhabi, February 4, AZERTAC

The awarding ceremony of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity was held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on February 4.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the event.

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates.

A video dedicated to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity was then screened.

Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, delivered an address.

Congratulatory video messages to the laureates of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity were presented by President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Republic of Lebanon Joseph Aoun, First Lady of Türkiye Emine Erdoğan, and King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan:

- Distinguished guests,

My dear friends from various countries participating in this event,

I greet you with my most sincere feelings of respect and love.

I sincerely hope that the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity will be beneficial for all of us, especially the awardees.

I am very pleased to convey to you the greetings of your 86 million brothers and sisters in Türkiye.

I also hope that the awards presented since 2019 will directly contribute to peace and stability throughout the world in the times we live in.

I sincerely congratulate the President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan, who have been decorated with this year’s awards. I would like to emphasize that I consider both the courageous steps taken by my brother Ilham Aliyev and the resolute approach demonstrated by Mr. Pashinyan to be extremely important for the establishment of lasting peace.

I firmly believe that a new page will be opened in the future of the Caucasus with the entry into force of the agreement, the purpose, scope, content, and spirit of which both sides have agreed upon.

As Türkiye, we sincerely support all initiatives aimed at peace, security, prosperity, and stability in our region and around the world. We will continue, Inshallah, to do whatever we can to establish lasting peace in the Caucasus and to work diligently to build bridges of friendship based on justice.

With these thoughts, I once again congratulate both the President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan.

I sincerely hope that the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity will be beneficial for all humanity. I greet you all with love and respect.

Thank you. Be well, and stay safe!

x x x

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev:

- Your Highnesses, Excellencies, distinguished guests,

I sincerely congratulate President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on receiving the Sheikh Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. It recognizes wise leadership that chose peace over the logic of confrontation, responsibility over resentment, and the future over the past. At a time when the world is increasingly divided, such a policy carries exceptional moral and political significance.

The progress made by Azerbaijan and Armenia toward a peace agreement marks a turning point of historic importance. It demonstrates that even long-standing conflicts can be resolved through dialogue, responsibility, and restraint. In an era marked by confrontation and rigid lines of division, this experience shows that reconciliation is not weakness, but strength, as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia are close, friendly, and brotherly nations.

We highly value the trust shown to our country, including the decision to hold a critical stage of the peace negotiations in Almaty. This reflects our shared belief that dialogue remains the only sustainable path forward. Kazakhstan consistently supports initiatives that strengthen peace, trust, and cooperation across Eurasia and beyond.

The Sheikh Zayed Award carries a powerful moral message. It affirms fraternity as a universal principle and a practical foundation for security, development, and human dignity. It embodies the enduring legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, grounded in tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

In this regard, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for his consistent commitment to upholding these values. These principles are most clearly reflected in concrete political outcomes. Peace and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia have given renewed substance to this legacy and demonstrated its relevance far beyond the region. They have also strengthened confidence in diplomacy as a viable instrument of international relations.

Dear President Aliyev, dear Prime Minister Pashinyan, your strong commitment to peace has given hope to millions and sent a clear signal to the global community that good-neighborly relations and stability are among the highest values in global affairs. You both have shown wisdom and insight.

I am convinced that through diplomacy, anchored in balance and common sense, we can all shape a more stable and predictable future.

Thank you.

x x x

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev:

- The distinguished President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev,

Your Excellency, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan,

Ladies and gentlemen,

In today’s volatile world, there is a great need for responsible leaders, unwavering political determination, and the solution of problems through dialogue. In the current complex international situation, decisions made in such a way can create a foundation of stability and strong trust between states and peoples. However, the priceless blessing of peace does not come on its own. Peace requires the courage to listen to others, find ways to compromise even in the most difficult circumstances, and take responsibility for the decisions made.

History shows that long-term and sustainable growth can only be achieved through compromise and an atmosphere of mutual respect and esteem. It is a great honor for me to sincerely congratulate the laureates of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, His Excellency President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and His Excellency Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. It is beyond doubt that the joint efforts of these political leaders for the sake of a reasonable resolution of the protracted conflict and the achievement of peace are well worth such a prestigious award. The agreement reached is a vivid example of a responsible approach to solving the problem and a historic step taken toward ensuring stability in our entire region.

In this respect, the fact that such a high award is being presented to statesmen is also a clear confirmation of the spirit of friendship, solidarity, and new cooperation that has emerged in one of the important regions of the world. We are in favor of resolving any dispute or conflict solely through political and diplomatic means, on the basis of international law and good-neighborliness. Today, we can ensure common peace and well-being for our people only through unity, mutual support, and partnership. The fact that this award, named after the great Sheikh Zayed, is being presented to such worthy candidates once again proves this eternal truth.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates for its invaluable contribution to the active promotion of humanitarian initiatives in the international arena, the consistent strengthening of dialogue, and the transformation of Abu Dhabi into a global center of peace. I am confident that such noble and benevolent deeds will give new impetus to the common efforts of the international community to ensure peace and security. I wish you good health, happiness, and great success in your honorable activities.

Thank you for your attention.

x x x

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif:

- Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Your Highnesses, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me immense pleasure to extend my heartiest congratulations to my very dear brother, His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, on being conferred with the prestigious Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. This momentous recognition, honoring the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his timeless vision of peace and coexistence, reflects the UAE’s visionary leadership and its emergence as a leading center of global diplomacy.

Ladies and gentlemen, in a world marred by division and conflict, President Aliyev’s bold and courageous leadership has always stood out. This vision and foresight were evident when he set aside long-standing differences, embraced peace, and fostered harmony through the historic peace agreement with Armenia. This landmark agreement, which ended a conflict of nearly four decades, exemplifies the very essence of human fraternity, solidarity, compassion, and shared humanity that the Zayed Award so profoundly celebrates.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan and Azerbaijan are woven together in an abiding bond of deep-rooted brotherhood and unwavering mutual respect, etched in the shared aspirations of our peoples for global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

We are proud of Azerbaijan’s remarkable achievements under President Ilham Aliyev’s wise and dynamic leadership. As a steadfast advocate for peace and stability in the Caucasus and beyond, Pakistan has welcomed this agreement as the harbinger of a new era of prosperity and enduring peace, not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but for the entire region.

Ladies and gentlemen, I once again congratulate my very dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev, on receiving this prestigious award, and I hope and pray that the brotherly people of Azerbaijan, guided by his visionary leadership, continue their march toward lasting peace, prosperity, and progress.

Thank you.

x x x

President Sadyr Zhaparov:

- Dear Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev,

Dear Nikol Vovayevich Pashinyan,

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you on being awarded the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for 2026. The Kyrgyz Republic welcomes with special satisfaction the signing of the Joint Declaration on the results of the meeting held between you in Washington on August 8, 2025. This is not merely a political and diplomatic step, but a truly historic achievement that serves to strengthen lasting peace, security, and mutual confidence in the South Caucasus.

I would also like to emphasize that Distinguished Ilham Heydar oglu and Distinguished Nikol Vovayevich have demonstrated the highest level of statesmanship, far-sighted leadership, and political responsibility. The Kyrgyz Republic is firmly convinced that the full restoration of relations between your countries primarily serves the interests of both peoples and creates a strong foundation for lasting peace. In this sense, we fully support the recent efforts of Baku and Yerevan to sign a peace agreement as soon as possible. We are ready to provide full support for this process, which strengthens mutual trust between the two countries and contributes to the creation of a sustainable peace architecture.

The Kyrgyz Republic attaches special importance to its historical experience in this area. I would also like to note that the Bishkek Protocol, signed in 1994 to stop the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and save people’s lives, became an important example of diplomatic pragmatism and responsibility.

As you may know, the Kyrgyz Republic has gradually resolved border issues with neighboring states. In 2025, an agreement was signed on the section of the border between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan that connects the three countries. For many years, we have consistently sought to resolve challenges related to border issues. As a result, all issues have been resolved in the spirit of friendship, good-neighborliness, mutual support, and mutual trust. I firmly believe that Azerbaijan and Armenia will achieve peaceful relations in the same manner, laying a solid foundation for long-term cooperation in the interests of harmony, friendship, and prosperity between the two peoples.

Dear members of the Jury of the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, I would like to express my deep gratitude to you for your continuous advancement of this important mission and for working toward such a noble cause. I sincerely hope that your important work contributing to peace and mutual understanding will be sustainable. I also hope that your efforts will mobilize the international community around the values of solidarity, mutual support, and respect for human dignity.

x x x

President Joseph Aoun:

- Distinguished guests,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Lebanon, I sincerely congratulate the Palestinian Welfare Organization on being awarded the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. This organization, an example of responsible development and humanitarian action, has made an unparalleled contribution to improving the living conditions of thousands of Palestinians in both Palestine and the refugee camps in Lebanon through its various programs and outstanding efforts in the fields of development and assistance. I applaud the determination and steadfastness of the Palestinian people, who have remained committed to their land and national identity in the face of the ongoing crises and challenges they confront. Let me reiterate that Lebanon, which supports the Palestinian cause and has made great sacrifices in this regard, sees no alternative to a fair, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Middle East problem within the framework of the “Arab Peace Initiative” adopted at the Beirut Summit in 2002.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am also honored to congratulate the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, on being awarded the same prize in recognition of the peace initiative between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This award is a high appreciation of the historic peace agreement that ended the long-standing conflict between the two countries and opened a new chapter of stability for a safer future for the peoples of the region. This achievement proves yet again that when political courage is combined with sincere will, it is possible to turn conflict into opportunity and peace into a permanent choice.

Distinguished guests, the selection of winners by the leadership of the independent Zayed International Award, which operates with the blessings of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, is a sign of high international recognition. It confirms the profound human value of activities that serve peace and human dignity.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all the winners again and express my hope that human fraternity will remain a bridge leading our world to a more just and peaceful future.

x x x

First Lady Emine Erdoğan:

- By honoring those who courageously shoulder this responsibility, we send a message to the world that humanity’s conscience remains united and that a prosperous future can only be achieved through the spirit of brotherhood.

x x x

King Abdullah II:

- My friends,

Please allow me to convey the warm greetings of the people of Jordan to the distinguished recipients and participants of this important event, the presentation of the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which embodies humanity’s commitment to upholding our universal values.

I am deeply honored to join you all in recognizing and celebrating the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the people who made that agreement possible and the tremendous efforts they undertook.

Your Excellencies, my dear friends, I congratulate you on this historic achievement. I congratulate you on your courageous choice of peace. This achievement is the result of your incredible courage and leadership.

Your success is an example of how peace can prevail despite decades of conflict.

It gives people around the world, especially those living in the region, hope that they can live, raise their children, work, and prosper in peace, security, and stability in the future.

Your Excellencies, I know that we share the same belief in the importance of continuous dialogue to promote mutual understanding and achieve lasting peace. We all firmly believe in the power of human fraternity, in the strength of living side by side, and in the profound importance of showing respect to the peoples of all nations, cultures, and religions as part of the shared fabric of humanity.

I am grateful to you for demonstrating these principles in action. I would like to thank you very much for giving the world hope that peace may be within our lifetimes.

Thank you.

x x x

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- We need to agree on who will be speaking first.

Your Highness, Mr. President of the United Arab Emirates, my dear brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, members of the judging committee, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the judging committee for this award. It is a great honor for me to receive an award that bears the name of the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed – the great leader whose vision and actions transformed the UAE into one of the most prosperous and successful countries in the world.

My dear brother Sheikh Mohamed continues the policy of his father in development, progress, and continued modernization. Today, the UAE is really an example for many countries on how to build a society that lives in peace and harmony, deeply connected to its historical roots while also looking to the future.

I would like to express my gratitude to His Eminence, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and His Holiness Pope Leo for their contribution to interreligious dialogue and their efforts to bring civilizations closer to each other. I also express my gratitude to all the colleagues who addressed their kind messages to the ceremony, once again underlining the importance of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia not only for our two countries but for the broader region. We were at war for more than 30 years. Now we have lived in peace for six months.

As I have said many times, we are learning to live in peace. I can tell you, it is a special feeling. We have never lived in peace since we became independent, and we are learning quickly. The last six months, since the historic summit in Washington hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, have been months of partnership, cooperation, and movement toward long-lasting and enduring peace.

I would also like to express my gratitude to President of the United States Donald Trump for his contribution to peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He hosted a trilateral summit on 8 August 2025, which resulted in the initialing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the signing of the Joint Declaration. President Trump also signed it as a witness, thus putting an end to a long-lasting, three-decade-plus, bloody and deadly conflict.

These six months, as I said, have been very important for the development of our relations. We not only lifted the restrictions on cargo transportation through Azerbaijan to Armenia, but also started exporting oil products to Armenia. In other words, during these six months, we have started cooperation. We are now increasing our trade relationship. This morning, I met my Armenian colleague, and we discussed how to move forward.

Today's award ceremony and the appreciation of our efforts by this distinguished judging committee and all our friends is very encouraging. I think that our example should be learned and taken as a roadmap for those who are still at war. Our example demonstrates that peace is possible despite long-lasting conflict, suffering, and mutual distrust. Peace is possible when there is strong political will from both sides and when this process is supported by friendly countries and the international community.

My final point about this award ceremony here in Abu Dhabi is that I think it is symbolic, because the last round of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place here last July, just a month before the historic summit in Washington. Here in Abu Dhabi, with the support of our brother Sheikh Mohamed, we came to a final agreement to establish peace, which was then formalized in Washington.

This symbolism today is in the air, and once again, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who decided to award us this distinguished and prestigious prize, and to all those who helped us achieve peace.

Thank you very much.

x x x

Addressing the event, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that in the past it would have been unthinkable for such a prestigious award to be presented simultaneously to the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia. He stated that the presentation of this award also confirms that both Armenia and Azerbaijan have turned the page on the conflict.

The Armenian Prime Minister described the award as an expression of support from the international community for both countries. He noted that the decision of the judging committee, which includes highly respected members from around the world, would give further impetus to strengthening peace in the region. He stressed that efforts would continue to ensure peace and trust between the two peoples.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also expressed special gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his contribution to achieving the peace agreement and for his efforts in this direction. He also conveyed his sincere thanks to the President of the United Arab Emirates for the award and expressed appreciation to all participants in this important event.

x x x

Afterwards, other laureates of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity - Afghan women’s rights activist and researcher Zarqa Yaftali, and Nabil Qaddumi on behalf of the Palestinian organization Taawon - delivered speeches.

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the other laureates.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo.

x x x

Pope Leo XIV and Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, sent congratulatory letters to the laureates of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

In his letter, Pope Leo XIV stated:

“Dear brothers and sisters,

With great joy and a heart filled with hope, I address you for the first time on the occasion of the World Day of Human Fraternity and the 7th anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayeb. On this occasion, you celebrate what is most precious and universal in our humanity: our fraternity, that unbreakable bond which unites every human being, created in the image of God.

Today, the need for this fraternity is not a distant ideal but an urgent necessity. We cannot ignore the fact that too many of our brothers and sisters are currently suffering the horrors of violence and war. We must remember that “the first victim of every war is ‘the human family’s innate vocation to fraternity’” (Francis, Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, 3 October 2020, 26). At a time when the dream of building peace together is often dismissed as an “outdated utopia” (ibid., 30), we must proclaim with conviction that human fraternity is a lived reality, stronger than all conflicts, differences and tensions. It is a potential that must be realized through a daily, concrete commitment to respect, sharing and compassion.

In this regard, as I recently emphasized in my Address to the members of the Zayed Award Committee, “words are not enough” (11 December 2025). Our deepest convictions require constant cultivation through tangible effort. Indeed, “remaining in the realm of ideas and theories, while failing to give them expression through frequent and practical acts of charity, will eventually cause even our most cherished hopes and aspirations to weaken and fade away” (Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, 4 October 2025, 119). As brothers and sisters, we are all called to move beyond the periphery and converge in a greater sense of mutual belonging (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 95).

Through the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, we pay tribute today to those who have translated these values into “authentic testimonies of human kindness and charity” (Address to Members of the Committee for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026, 11 December 2025). Our laureates — His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and Ms Zarqa Yaftali — are sowers of hope in a world that too often builds walls instead of bridges. By choosing the demanding path of solidarity over the easy path of indifference, they have demonstrated that even the most deep-seated divisions can be healed through concrete action. Their work bears witness to the conviction that the light of fraternity can prevail over the darkness of fratricide.

Finally, I express my gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for his steadfast support of this initiative, as well as to the Zayed Committee for its vision and moral conviction. Let us continue to work together so that the dynamic of fraternal love may become the common path of all, and that the “other” may no longer be seen as a stranger or a threat, but recognized as a brother or a sister.

May God, our Father of all, bless each one of you, and may he bless all humanity.”

x x x

In his letter, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, said:

“In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Compassionate

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions, and all who follow his guidance.

Dear brothers and sisters,

May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you!

It gives me great pleasure to join you today in celebrating the International Day of Human Fraternity—an occasion on which values converge with responsibility and hope meets reality. It is a day designated by the United Nations as an annual observance of human fraternity, and an opportunity to honor the recipients of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026. Today, this award transcends the notion of symbolic recognition to become a moral beacon, reminding the world that humanity—no matter how burdened by crises or surrounded by mounting challenges—remains capable of realigning its moral compass when hearts are sincere, intentions are true, and wills converge.

Seven years ago, humanity witnessed in the United Arab Emirates a decisive and historic moment. In that moment, I shared with my late brother, His Holiness Pope Francis, profound concerns about the state of the contemporary world, alongside a sincere hope for a better tomorrow for future generations. It was a moment in which time itself seemed to pause, bearing witness to the signing of Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi by the Pontiff of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. It is a document that set out as a call to the human conscience everywhere, and as a clear message affirming that religions, in their authentic essence, have never been a cause of conflict or bloodshed; rather, they have been—and will remain—a source of compassion, a bridge for encounter, and a safeguard for human dignity.

Human fraternity is neither a slogan to be raised on ceremonial occasions nor a speech recited at celebratory gatherings. Rather, it is a sustained safeguard of moral commitment, a civilizational responsibility, and a conscious choice—one that upholds the logic of construction instead of destruction, and a culture of life in place of nihilism and extinction. In a world where conflicts multiply, wounds deepen, and the voices of hatred and exclusion grow ever louder, human fraternity becomes an existential necessity and a fundamental condition for human life to endure with dignity, respect, and honor.

Today—together with all those who cherish peace—I am pleased to express my appreciation for and recognition of the historic peace agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, which is being honored by this award. On this occasion, I congratulate His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and His Excellency Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and I say to them: You have proven that humane dialogue and sincere intentions are capable of turning long pages of conflict, opening new horizons for coexistence, and presenting an inspiring model for peacebuilding at a time when the world is in urgent need of such examples.

I also extend my congratulations to the honorable lady, Ms. Zarqa Yaftali, the Afghan advocate for women’s education, who has embodied—through her determination—the truth that women’s empowerment is not a group-specific demand, but a foundational pillar for the advancement of societies and the safeguarding of their future.

This year, I further extend my congratulations, with deep appreciation and pride, to the Palestinian organization Taawon, in recognition of its exceptional humanitarian and development efforts that touch the lives of more than one million people annually in Palestine. This organization has presented a model to be emulated in responsible humanitarian action—one that does not stop at alleviating pain, but seeks to preserve dignity, sustain resilience, and empower people to remain steadfast on their land, holding firmly to their right to life and hope, despite the harsh conditions and complex challenges they endure. On this occasion, I call upon all those who love goodness and peace to support the defenseless Palestinian people, and the people of Gaza in particular, in light of the severe circumstances they continue to face.

The coming together of these three exemplary models at a single ceremony of recognition, celebrated here today at the Founders’ Memorial in Abu Dhabi, carries a profound message to the entire world: that human fraternity recognizes no geographical or historical boundaries, yields to no narrow calculations, and stands solely with the human being—regardless of race, religion, or color.

On this occasion of deep human significance, I am pleased to express my profound appreciation to my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, for his sincere patronage, steadfast support, and deep belief in the principles of human fraternity—affirming that peace can only be safeguarded by moral values, and can only be built through wisdom, tolerance, and coexistence. I also extend my sincere thanks to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Judging Committee, which has devoted its time and efforts to selecting those who embody these lofty human values and represent a message of hope to the peoples of the world. I wish to single out Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Award, as well as the prize’s dedicated team, for their sincere efforts and tireless work, which have transformed this prize into a global platform for the human conscience.

In closing, our message today does not just mean enjoying a fleeting celebration, but it is a sincere call to humanity at large: to reflect anew on the state of our world—clear for all to see—and to make human fraternity a shared path where peoples come together while preserving their identities; to believe that the future of the world will not be built by force, but by understanding, will not be preserved by hatred, but by love and compassion, and will not be set aright until man comes to see in his fellow man a partner in destiny, not a rival in existence.

Thank you for your kind attention, and may Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you all.”