UAE plays influential global role that inspires countries

The jury of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity said the UAE plays an influential regional and international role that inspires countries around the world to overcome their differences, based on the principles of human fraternity.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity on Friday announced Their Majesties King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan as honorees of the 2022 award, alongside Haitian humanitarian organisation FOKAL. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Moroccan-French activist Latifa Ibn Ziaten were the recipients of the 2021 edition. These two exceptional individuals were presented with the award for their respective efforts to address some of the world’s key socio-cultural and political issues, and their embodiment of the values championed in the Document on Human Fraternity.

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In their exclusive statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the announcement of the award’s 2022 winners, the jury’s members said the award embodies the principles of the Human Fraternity Document, by encouraging individuals and institutions around the world to promote the document’s principles and its universal message. They also stressed that the award is strengthening the UAE’s international stature.

King Abdullah II

Mahamadou Issoufou, Former President of Niger, said the importance of the award lies in the name it carries. The Human Fraternity Document promotes the values of tolerance, peace and coexistence, to shape a world where justice and humanity prevail.

It is also increasingly important amidst the current conditions, as the world needs to promote these values, he added. There were over 200 nominations in 2022, underscoring the wide international interest in the award, which required the jury to work hard and continue meeting to assess its nominees.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former South African Vice President and Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), said the award plays a major international role, especially amidst the current conditions being witnessed by the entire world.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah

What characterises the awards is that it is directed to all segments of communities, confirming the role of all individuals in promoting the values of human fraternity, she added. The UAE aims to spread the values of peace, tolerance, coexistence and human solidarity, due to the traditions of its community, and expressing her hope that more countries will follow, she stressed.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, Under-Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the award is based on the historic Human Fraternity Document signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019, which is helping strengthen the common values and principles and provide guidelines for addressing many issues facing the world today.

The award is very important, as it is the first to adopt the principles of the Human Fraternity Document, which inspires and encourages individuals and institutions to promote its values, he added.

Dr. Leah Bessar, Head of the Aladdin Project and Member of the Jury, said the award is significant because it comes at a time when the world is suffering from recurring crises and focusses on the humanity and brotherhood of everyone, so it has become necessary to focus on the principles and human values that it embodies.

Established in 2019, the Award is organised by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, an independent international committee instituted to promote human fraternity values in communities around the world and to fulfil the aspirations of the Document on Human Fraternity. It is named in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, to celebrate his legacy of championing peaceful coexistence.