Abu dhabi: The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has announced the honorees of the prize's 2026 edition, APA reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is among the distinguished recipients.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the official website of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity stated that the award was conferred upon Ilham Aliyev for the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. This landmark decision is recognized as a significant step towards ending decades of conflict and humanitarian challenges in the Caucasus region. The agreement is celebrated as a demonstration of peace, dialogue, normalization, and conflict resolution, underscoring that reconciliation is a continuous journey.

The 2026 honorees were chosen by an independent global judging committee comprising distinguished figures and experts in dialogue and coexistence. His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, a judging committee member and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, noted that the selection of the historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan aligns with the award's mission to promote dialogue and coexistence. This agreement marks a pivotal milestone in advancing global peace, turning the page on nearly four decades of tension in the Caucasus, and laying a foundation for a shared future for both nations.

The 2026 recipients will be honored on February 4, 2026, coinciding with the UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity, at the annual award ceremony to be held at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.