Palestinian NGO Taawon Honored by Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has announced Palestinian non-profit organization Taawon as the third honoree of its seventh edition. Taawon will be recognized alongside the historic peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali at the annual ceremony, scheduled for February 4, 2026, at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.

Taawon was selected for its outstanding humanitarian and developmental initiatives, which reach over one million people annually across Palestine. Since its establishment in 1983, the organization has invested more than USD $1 billion in projects spanning education, youth empowerment, orphan care, cultural programs, historic town rehabilitation, community development, healthcare, agriculture, and emergency humanitarian aid. Over the years, Taawon has implemented more than 8,200 projects, supporting Palestinians—especially young people—in building resilience, creating opportunities, promoting economic and social development, and preserving Palestinian heritage.

Dr. Nabil H. Qaddumi, Chairman of Taawon’s Board of Directors, expressed pride in the recognition, thanking the award’s international judging committee for honoring the organization. He emphasized that the accolade would provide Taawon with renewed moral momentum and a global platform to highlight key humanitarian and developmental priorities in Palestine, further enabling long-term initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and community development.

H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, noted that Taawon’s selection underscores the organization’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding human dignity and strengthening Palestinian resilience amid challenging circumstances. He highlighted Taawon’s pioneering model of humanitarian and development work, which balances immediate relief with long-term investment in social cohesion and sustainable growth, reflecting the values of human fraternity championed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE.

The announcement follows the recognition of the award’s first and second honorees last week: the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali. Both H.E. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and H.E. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia expressed pride in the joint recognition, emphasizing its role in promoting peace in the Caucasus region. Ms. Yaftali described the honor as a powerful message of hope and inspiration for Afghan women and girls worldwide.

Since its inception in 2019, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has recognized 20 recipients from 20 countries, including honorary awards to Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, as well as other individuals and institutions that have made remarkable contributions to advancing the values of human fraternity globally.