Business Daily Media

The Times Real Estate

.

Zayed Sustainability Prize Demonstrates Global Reach and Impact with over 5,900 Submissions

  • US $5.9 million Prize attracts submissions from 156 countries
  • High number of entries leverage advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain to address pressing sustainability challenges
  • Since 2008, the Prize has transformed the lives of over 384 million people
ABU DHABI, UAE - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 August 2024 - The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering global award for sustainability and humanitarianism, has officially closed entries for its 2025 awards cycle.

A total of 5,980 applications were received across the six Prize categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools, from 156 countries.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, which will be held on 14 January 2025 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

This year's Prize has seen a notable 15% increase in submissions over the previous year from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations, and high schools. Close analysis of the submissions reveals a prevailing trend across all categories: a significant number of solutions are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain, 3D printing, and biotechnology applications, revealing the importance of technological innovation in driving progress towards sustainability.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, said "For the last 16 years, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has supported innovative solutions that address pressing global challenges and deliver tangible impact to communities around the world. Inspired by Sheikh Zayed's commitment to humanitarianism and people focused, inclusive sustainable development, the Prize has transformed the lives of over 384 million people."

"We are deeply encouraged by the record number of applications we have received from every continent. This overwhelming response, particularly from young people and organisations in the Global South, reinforces our belief that innovations harnessing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, coupled with community-driven approaches, are key to effectively addressing climate change and driving social and environmental progress," he added.

This year's submissions were more varied than ever, highlighting the universal impact of climate change on nations across all continents. Most of the submissions came from emerging markets, revealing that rapidly developing countries are at the forefront of catalysing local, innovative solutions to address the sustainability gap.

The top submitting countries included Brazil, India, Kenya, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. This year, the Prize accepted submissions in multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, promoting inclusivity, ensuring broader participation, and allowing diverse perspectives from different regions and cultures to be represented.

The Food (1,255) and Climate Action (1,532) categories attracted the greatest number of submissions, followed by Health (997), Global High Schools (906), Energy (669) and Water (621).

In the Food category, which received twice as many submissions compared to last year, the entries respond to challenges related to sustainable food production through innovations like agricultural technology (Agtech) for food system resilience.

Submissions addressing deforestation and rising carbon emissions dominated the Climate Action category, with organisations leading efforts in soil restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable resource use, fostering environmental sustainability.

SMEs and NPOs in the Health category predominantly focus on enhancing access to healthcare and disease prevention through solutions that leverage innovative technologies, community-driven programmes, and partnerships to bridge gaps in medical services, especially in underserved regions.

In the Energy category, the Prize received numerous entries from organisations dedicated to expanding sustainable energy access in vulnerable communities. While submissions featuring emerging technologies like hydrogen fuel systems, energy storage solutions and electric mobility, all critical for the global energy transition, also increased significantly.

Finally, in the Water category, many entries concentrate on enhancing water accessibility through innovative solutions that emphasise water conservation, advanced recycling techniques, filtration processes, and comprehensive treatment systems to ensure clean water resources for all.

The number of submissions from high schools has more than doubled compared to the previous year, signalling a significant increase in youth involvement and dedication to sustainable practices. In the Global High Schools category, the proposals included sustainable food production methods such as hydroponics and aquaponics, effective recycling and waste management strategies, the use of bioenergy, and the creation of bioproducts.

Following the close of submissions, the Prize now enters the evaluation stage. All entries will be shortlisted by an independent research and analysis consultancy. A Selection Committee comprised of globally renowned industry experts will then assess the qualified entries and shortlist the candidates. The third and final tier of the evaluation process is the Jury, which will convene in October to unanimously elect the winners in each category.

Since its launch in 2008, the US $5.9 million Prize has transformed the lives of over 384 million people around the world. Its global impact continues to grow, as it accelerates sustainable development and humanitarian progress. Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories receive US $1 million to expand the scope and scale of their sustainability solution(s), while the Global High Schools category has six winners, representing six world regions, with each winner receiving up to US $150,000.

Hashtag: #ZayedSustainabilityPrize

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Zayed Sustainability Prize

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE's pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges. A tribute to the legacy and vision of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize aims to drive sustainable development worldwide. Each year, across the Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools categories, the Prize rewards organisations and high schools for their groundbreaking solutions to our planet's most pressing needs. Through its 117 winners, in 16 years, the Prize has positively impacted over 384 million lives across the globe, inspiring innovators to amplify their impact, and chart a sustainable future for all.

News from Asia

Backbase and Synpulse partner to accelerate banking transformation across APAC

Combining Backbase's Engagement Banking Platform with Synpulse's regional expertise to deliver customer-centric solutions SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 March 2025 - Backbase, the leade...

Technology driving positive outlook for Malaysian small businesses

Malaysia’s small businesses lead the region in innovation Younger entrepreneurs dominate small business landscape AI investment on the rise ...

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Accelerates AI Ambitions, Achieves Certification under NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center Program

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 March 2025 - ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world's fastest-growing data centre colocation service providers headquartered in Singa...

HL Assurance Becomes First in Singapore to Launch Core Travel Insurance Coverage Add-Ons

HL Assurance addresses key concerns for the modern traveller in their new combination of essential travel insurance add-ons. SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 March 2025 - Singaporeans can ...

USPACE Partners with AICO to Launch 6,000-Satellite Constellation Plan

— Hybrid Constellation Focused on Direct Mobile-Satellite Connectivity to Empower “Belt and Road” Digital Future HONG KONG SAR - EQS Newswire - 13 March 2025 - At the "100 Satellites" exhibition he...

Octa broker receives the 'Best use of AI in fintech' award

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 March 2025 - OctaTrader, Octa broker's proprietary trading platform, was recently awarded for the 'Best Use of AI in Fintech 2025' by Global Bu...

Visa offers seamless tap-to-ride experiences for Visa cardholders on Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 March 2025 - Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, has continued its role as an Official Co-sponsor of the Inauguration Cer...

Make a Splash This Summer: Celebrate Water and Culture at Five Iconic Bangkok Destinations with ONESIAM

ONESIAM’s Songkran celebrations, part of Siam Piwat’s guest experience program, offer tourists an elevated summer journey through culture, tradition, and immersive festivities BANGKOK, THAILAND - ...

DHL Express Hong Kong becomes the Official Partner of Kai Tak Sports Park

Both parties will collaborate to drive the growth of sports and entertainment events to the city and help to foster the development of Hong Kong into a premier hub for mega live events ...

Henkel presents the next edition of the Martha Schwarzkopf Award for outstanding female scientists

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 March 2025 - For the fourth time, Henkel is proud to present the Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science, dedicated to supporting and empow...

Incode joins Australia’s Age Assurance Technology Trial to protect children online

With a market-leading +99% accuracy rate, Incode will play a key role in safeguarding Aussie minors on social media Incode Technologies Inc., a...

Empowering small businesses: Localsearch rolls out affordable digital solutions

New suite of digital solutions designed to boost visibility, engagement, and customer acquisition In response to a rapidly evolving digital lan...

Why Responsible Leadership is a Competitive Advantage for Small Businesses

In today’s fast-changing business landscape, leadership is evolving. While large corporations are reassessing their diversity, equity, and inclusi...

Why it’s a great time to include the EU in your export push

With the US market beset with unknowns, training your sights on mainland Europe in 2025 makes sound sense. Wondering whether the introduction o...

Success Isn’t About Labels—It’s About Mindset

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on my own success as a business owner and whether or not being a woman has playe...

Accelerate Action- Thryv champions women in business for International Women’s Day

Thryv® (NASDAQ: THRY), provider of the leading small business software platform, is celebrating International Women’s Day by shining a spotlight o...

Sell by LayBy