Armenian PM Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev Receive Zayed Award for Peace Agreement

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has announced the winners of its 2026 edition, recognizing the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali. This is the first time that honorees have come from the Caucasus region and Afghanistan — a milestone for the international award.

The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is being recognized for its role in ending decades of conflict and humanitarian suffering. For many years, tensions between the two countries led to violence, displacement, and loss of life. The award highlights the importance of dialogue and continued efforts to move away from conflict toward stability and cooperation.

According to the award organizers, the recognition honors the ongoing process of dialogue, reconciliation, and normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It emphasizes that peace is not achieved through a single act, but through long-term commitment and sustained political will. The award views the peace process as an example of how difficult conflicts can be addressed through negotiations and engagement rather than force.

Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, reacted to the announcement by calling the award a “great honor” in recognition of the efforts undertaken to help establish peace in the Caucasus region, and a sincere acknowledgement of everyone who contributed to bringing this historic agreement to fruition.

Pashinyan also expressed confidence that this recognition will have a tangible impact both within Armenia and beyond. He said it will contribute to strengthening trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that this historic shared moment of recognition is of great significance and will support the path to peace.

He further stressed that this achievement is not the result of an individual effort, but rather the outcome of collective work involving many inside and outside Armenia. He noted that the essence of this achievement is due, first and foremost, to Armenia’s political team, government, parliament, and the society that supports the peace agreement. “That we [Armenia and Azerbaijan] are sharing this award reflects a mutual and collective achievement,” Pashinyan added.

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also responded to the announcement. He expressed his appreciation for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity’s recognition of the peace agreement and extended his gratitude to the 2026 award judging committee for honoring efforts to establish peace in the South Caucasus region and the world.

The 2026 honorees were selected by an independent global judging committee made up of international figures known for their work in dialogue, coexistence, and humanitarian efforts. The committee includes former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium His Excellency Charles Michel; former Chairperson of the African Union Commission and former Prime Minister of Chad His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat; UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell; Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Her Excellency Saida Mirziyoyeva; Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education at the Holy See His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça; and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity His Excellency Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 4, 2026, at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi. The date coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Human Fraternity, which promotes understanding, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among people of different cultures and beliefs.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity was inspired by the 2019 signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by the late Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. It also draws inspiration from the humanitarian legacy of the United Arab Emirates’ founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The award aims to recognize individuals and initiatives that promote peace, compassion, and human unity around the world.

Since its launch in 2019, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has honored 19 recipients from 19 countries. The inclusion of the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement among the 2026 honorees places the South Caucasus peace process within a broader global effort to encourage dialogue, reconciliation, and long-term peace.

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