Saida Mirziyoyeva joins jury of Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

The members of the jury for the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity have been announced. Among those selected to determine the recipient of the $1 million award is Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan. Other jury members include UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, former President of the European Council Charles Michel, and others.

Jury members announced

The organizers of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity have officially unveiled the panel of judges who will select the 2026 laureate.

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, has been appointed to the jury. Her nomination was put forward by Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honors individuals and organizations from around the world who are devoted to promoting humanitarian values, solidarity, and harmony across communities and nations.

The award is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates.

The jury — composed of professionals from various fields and backgrounds — will review nominations from over 60 countries. Their focus will include initiatives addressing climate change, poverty alleviation, social development, healthcare, and other pressing humanitarian challenges.

The 2026 Jury Members

Saida Mirziyoyeva – Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Catherine Russell – Executive Director of UNICEF
Charles Michel – Former President of the European Council, former Prime Minister of Belgium
Moussa Faki Mahamat – Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, former Prime Minister of Chad
Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça – Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam – Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

“I am deeply honored to join this prestigious jury as the first member from Central Asia. Together with my fellow jurors, we aim to recognize unsung humanitarian heroes who uplift societies and tackle urgent global issues,” Saida Mirziyoyeva said in the official press release.

Her appointment to the jury is seen as bringing significant experience in advancing women's rights, human rights, and social development to the selection committee.

Applications for the 2026 award are open until October 1, 2025. Nominations can be submitted through the organization’s official website. The prize amount is $1,000,000.

Background on the Zayed Award

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity was established in 2019 following the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, and Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb of Al-Azhar. During this encounter, the two religious leaders signed the Document on Human Fraternity.

Since its inception, the award has honored 16 laureates from 15 countries.

Previous recipients include: