UAE prize greets innovators driving global progress

Eleven pioneering organizations and high schools worldwide were awarded the 2025 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in a global effort to foster solutions to common challenges.

In a ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and attended by 11 heads of state, ministers and business leaders, UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the awards to the winners covering six categories of health, food, energy, water, climate action and global high schools.

The prize, the president said, inspires solutions that address critical social and environmental challenges. By nurturing these efforts, the UAE is not only creating a more sustainable future for all but also honoring the legacy of the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of UAE whose vision continues to inspire, he added.

In a keynote speech, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister of industry and advanced technology and director-general of the prize, lauded the work to deliver innovative solutions that address the world's most pressing challenges.

"This year's winners showcase solutions that leverage advanced technologies, including AI, enhance local resilience, and deliver transformative, scalable impact worldwide. In doing so, they embody the power of progress in accelerating sustainable development and inclusive socio-economic growth," he said.

Since 2008, the prize has helped the lives of 384 million people worldwide through the innovative solutions presented by its 117 winners.

In the health, food, energy, and water categories, each winner receives $1 million, while the global high school's category has six winners, representing six world regions, with each winner receiving up to $150,000.

This year, in the health category, India's Periwinkle Technologies was awarded the prize for its portable, AI-enabled cervical cancer screening device. It provides results at the point of care within 30 seconds, benefiting over 300,000 women across India.

In the food category, Nigeria's NaFarm Foods won for its hybrid solar food dryers that prevent post-harvest losses, reducing both food wastage and carbon consumption.

In the energy category, Palki Motors, a startup from Bangladesh, was awarded the prize for its locally manufactured, affordable, and lightweight electric vehicles. Priced at $4,990, these vehicles cater to the unique transportation needs of the region.