Abu Dhabi:The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has revealed the five members of its 2027 judging committee, with first-time representation from Italy, Iraq, Lebanon, and Kazakhstan. This new jury is tasked with selecting the honorees for the award's eighth edition, which honors individuals and organizations worldwide who advance human fraternity and peaceful coexistence.
According to Emirates News Agency, the 2027 judging committee includes Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, former President of Portugal; Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and former President of Iraq; Nehmat Aoun, First Lady of Lebanon; Maulen Ashimbayev, former Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan; and Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture at the Holy See.
Named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's Founding Father, the international and independent award includes a financial prize of US$1 million. Sheikh Zayed was widely recognized for his humanitarian efforts and dedication to helping people regardless of their background or place in the world.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual global humanitarian award established after the 2019 meeting in Abu Dhabi between the late His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb. During this meeting, the religious leaders signed the historic Document on Human Fraternity.