The Zayed Sustainability Prize has announced its 2025 finalists, highlighting the next generation of groundbreaking solutions that address global sustainability challenges. The winners will be revealed at the award ceremony, which will take place on 14 January 2025, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Unprecedented Global Participation
This year, the Prize received an impressive 5,980 submissions, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. The finalists were selected across six categories Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools for their innovative approaches and tangible impacts in advancing sustainability.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Director General of the Prize, highlighted the exceptional nature of the finalists. “These changemakers are harnessing the power of emerging technologies to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges,” he said. “Their solutions exemplify the vision of Sheikh Zayed, whose legacy of innovation continues to guide our sustainable future.”
Impact So Far
Since its inception, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has been a catalyst for transformative change. The 117 winners of the Prize have brought sustainable solutions to millions of people, improving access to clean water, reliable energy, affordable healthcare, and nutritious food. To date, the Prize has impacted over 11 million people globally, providing access to safe drinking water, energy, healthcare, and more.
Finalists Across Categories
Health
The Health finalists focus on increasing access to quality healthcare, especially in underserved and remote regions. The finalists include:
- Periwinkle Technologies (India): A portable, AI-powered cervical cancer screening device that delivers results in just 30 seconds.
- Rology (Egypt): An AI-driven teleradiology platform that facilitates timely diagnoses through integration with hospital systems.
- Telemedan (Chad): Solar-powered, internet-connected medical kiosks providing healthcare services to isolated communities.
Food
Food finalists aim to empower small-scale producers, promote sustainable farming practices, and enhance food preservation techniques. Notable finalists include:
- ABALOBI (South Africa): A mobile app that connects small-scale fishers with local consumers, promoting fair trade.
- Nafarm Foods (Nigeria): Uses hybrid solar food dryers to preserve food and reduce CO2 emissions.
- Xinjiang Shawan Oasis (China): Specialises in solar-powered greenhouses that convert desert land into arable farms.
Energy
The Energy finalists focus on improving energy efficiency and expanding access to clean energy sources. Key finalists include:
- D-Olivette Global (Nigeria): A smart waste management system powered by IoT and AI that improves operational efficiency by 40%.
- Palki Motors (Bangladesh): Manufactures affordable electric cars and operates solar-powered battery swap stations.
- Turbulent (Belgium): Develops cost-effective, environmentally friendly hydropower turbines with enhanced efficiency.
Water
Water finalists are focused on developing solutions that optimise water use and improve access to clean drinking water. Finalists include:
- Elman Teknoloji Ltd (Türkiye): Uses smart sensors to optimise water usage in agriculture, cutting labour costs by 80%.
- High Atlas Foundation (Morocco): Provides solar-powered water pumps to help communities access groundwater sustainably.
- SkyJuice Foundation Inc. (Australia): Designs low-cost, chemical-free water filtration systems that provide clean water to underserved areas.
Climate Action
The Climate Action finalists are creating innovative solutions to fight climate change, restore ecosystems, and enhance resilience. Noteworthy finalists include:
- Distant Imagery (UAE): Develops AI-powered drones for environmental monitoring, seed planting, and habitat restoration.
- Hyera Inc. (USA): A carbon capture technology that transforms agricultural and forestry waste into activated carbon.
- OpenMap Development Tanzania (Tanzania): Combines indigenous knowledge with geospatial data to manage flood risks.
Global High Schools
In the Global High Schools category, student-led sustainability projects have been recognised. The finalists are divided into six regions:
- The Americas: Mexico, Colombia, Canada
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya, Ghana, Uganda
- Middle East & North Africa: Algeria, UAE, Egypt
- Europe & Central Asia: Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan
- South Asia: Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal
- East Asia & the Pacific: China, New Zealand, Fiji
Award Details
Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action categories will receive a prize of US $1 million, while the six Global High Schools finalists will be awarded up to US $150,000 to continue their projects.
Conclusion
The Zayed Sustainability Prize finalists for 2025 represent a diverse and global group of innovators who are addressing some of the most urgent environmental and societal challenges. Their work is setting the stage for a sustainable future, inspiring communities around the world to think creatively and act boldly in the fight against climate change and inequality.