President Ilham Aliyev has been honored with the prestigious "Zayed Award for Human Fraternity" at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The award was presented by the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Member of Parliament Vasif Gafarov described the ceremony, held on February 4, 2026, as a significant milestone in the history of modern international relations. According to the lawmaker, the conferral of this prestigious international award upon the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is not only a mark of respect for a head of state but also a clear example of high-level international recognition of Azerbaijan's contributions to peace, dialogue, and the ideals of human fraternity.
During his acceptance speech, President Ilham Aliyev expressed his deep gratitude to the jury and emphasized that being awarded a prize named after the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a great honor. The President highlighted that through Sheikh Zayed's foresight, wise leadership, and humanistic vision, the UAE quickly became one of the world's most successful nations. He noted that this political and moral legacy is being successfully continued by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, demonstrating a practical example of human fraternity through a multicultural environment and a society living in peace.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an independent global award that recognizes individuals and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, who are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to deliver a more peaceful and compassionate world. Established in 2019 following the historic meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, the award symbolizes the commitment to the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity.
Vasif Gafarov added that President Ilham Aliyev addressed the importance of interfaith dialogue and inter-civilizational understanding, expressing gratitude to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Pope Leo for their efforts in this direction. The President noted that while Azerbaijan lived under conditions of war for over 30 years, a real atmosphere of peace has been forming in the region for the past six months, marking the first time in the period of independence that the country has begun to live in sustainable peace.
The head of state specifically noted the significance of the historic Washington Summit hosted by US President Donald Trump. As a result of the trilateral meeting held on August 8, 2025, a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was initialed and a Joint Declaration was signed, with US President Donald Trump signing the document as a witness. This effectively ended a conflict that lasted more than three decades. In the six months following the Washington Summit, practical steps toward cooperation have been taken, including the removal of restrictions on cargo transportation and the start of oil product exports to Armenia.
The lawmaker emphasized that the choice of Abu Dhabi for the ceremony carries symbolic meaning, as decisive negotiations in the peace process were conducted in this city before being finalized in Washington. This positions Abu Dhabi as a vital center in regional peace history. Gafarov concluded that the peace initiatives implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev serve to strengthen stability and security in the region and establish the principles of human fraternity and mutual trust.
