The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity hosted the fourth edition of its annual roundtable in Abu Dhabi under the theme ‘A Promise to Future Generations’, bringing together past and present honourees and judging committee members, government officials, Yale University Peace Fellows, and youth leaders representing 35 countries from around the world.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 Roundtable facilitated dialogue on global challenges to human fraternity and the award’s role in addressing them, bringing together more than 40 influential international figures from peacebuilding, diplomacy, philanthropy, and innovation.
Moderated by CNN Vice President Caroline Faraj and chaired by His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, the roundtable brought together senior international figures, including His Excellency Maulin Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Participants also included current and former judging committee members: His Excellency Charles Michel, former President of the European Council (2026); His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission (2026); His Excellency Macky Sall, former President of Senegal (2025); The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth (2025); Her Excellency Megawati Sukarnoputri, former President of Indonesia (2024); Irina Bokova, former UNESCO Director-General (2024); Dr Epsy Campbell Barr, former Vice-President of the Republic of Costa Rica (2023); and Dr Leah Pisar, President of the Aladdin Project (2022).
The roundtable was also attended by award honourees, including Zarqa Yaftali, Afghan girls’ education advocate (2026); Dr Nabil Qaddumi and Dr Tareq Emtairah, representatives of the Palestinian organisation Taawon, (2026); Javier Garcia, CEO, World Central Kitchen, and Aaron Renenger, Chief of Strategic Relations (2025); Heman Bekele, teenage health innovator (2025); Indonesian organisations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah (2024); Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub world-renowned cardiac surgeon (2024); Sister Nelly Leon Correa, Chilean NGO founder (2024); and Shamsa Abubakr Fadhil, Kenyan peace meditator (2023).
His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, stated that the award’s roundtable serves as a global forum, demonstrating its international standing and growing impact across countries, cultures, faiths, and generations.
His Excellency added that the fourth edition of the roundtable provided a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas among leading decision makers and pioneers in humanitarian and diplomatic fields. He affirmed that the award would continue to fulfil its global mission of honouring inspirational humanitarian role models, encouraging rapprochement and solidarity, and promoting a culture of coexistence as a sustainable path towards a more humane, cohesive, and harmonious future for all.
His Excellency Maulin Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan, affirmed in his opening remarks that the 2026 award honourees embody inspiring models of peacemaking. He praised the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia as a historic achievement, Zarqa Yaftali’s efforts to empower Afghan girls and women, and the humanitarian role of Palestinian organisation Taawon in preserving heritage and supporting Palestinian society amid ongoing challenges. He emphasised that the world of the future must be grounded in human dignity and cooperation, where differences among humanity are perceived as a source of strength, essential to building a better future for generations to come.
Dr Nabil Qaddumi, Chairman of Taawon’s Board of Directors, addressed the topic of future generations, stressing that strong belief and a moral framework are needed to create lasting impact.
He said: “Conviction alone is not enough; rather a value system is essential. This is what brings about gradual change. We want the younger generation to embark on life with conviction and ethical values.”
Sister Nelly Leon Correa, 2024 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honouree, emphasised the need for a moral compass to guide efforts toward translating dialogue into concrete action.
She said: “When we talk about action, let us do so with tolerance, kindness, and restorative justice – a clear call to place humanity at the heart of all future action.”
At the conclusion of the roundtable, three Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honourees – Sister Nelly Leon Correa, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub and Heman Bekele – were presented with trophies from international film festival the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards. Their biographical films, produced for the award’s platforms, received gold and silver awards, respectively, at the 2025 edition.