From helping people in war-torn Gaza gain access to food to restoring ocean wilderness, every winner and nominee in this year's Zayed Sustainability Prize tells a story of improving the lives of others.
Eleven winners, across six categories, will share an increased prize fund of $5.9 million – boosted this week from $3.6 million. They were announced in Dubai at an awards ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City, on Friday.
Their creative solutions have transformed lives and helped drive economic, environmental change in their areas.
Each winner in the health, food, water, energy and climate action categories will receive $1 million, while each of the six Global High Schools winners will get $150,000 to support their projects.
The prize will have a major impact on the project to enhance urban farming and support Palestinian women with small and micro-enterprises
Ahmed Sourani,
Gaza Urban and Peri-urban Agricultural Platform
Gaza Urban and Peri-urban Agricultural Platform, which won the food category, has helped more than 7,000 people to have access to local produce in the Gaza Strip and boosted the income of 200 female farmers.
Palestinian Ahmed Sourani, 57, founder and coordinator of the platform, said while it was a proud moment to win the award, his thoughts were still with those in Gaza.
“I am thrilled after winning the prize. It was a great moment and the prize will help to develop our work. But I cannot wait to return back to my family in south Gaza,” Mr Sourani told The National.
He crossed the Rafah border to Egypt and flew via Cairo to Dubai for the awards ceremony where his food platform was announced as the winner, ahead of projects in Kenya and Guatemala.
Launched in 2013, the non-profit organisation helps small-scale, female urban producers in Gaza by bringing together those involved in developing the Palestinian agricultural sector.
The platform has supported the production of 18 tons of local agricultural products.
“Female farmers’ products played a key role during the recent crisis in Gaza Strip as [they] helped to provide food to evacuated families who were hosted by other families in the south,” Mr Sourani said.
“Every house in Gaza became a refugee place that hosts five to eight families.”
He said the limited space in Gaza creates a big challenge for farmers.
“The prize will have a major impact on the project to enhance urban farming and support Palestinian women with small and micro-enterprises which will help our community for a better future,” Mr Sourani said.
“Palestinian people are looking for peace but not any peace. We want a real peace that respects the rights of our Palestinian people.”
Restoring ocean biodiversity
Kelp Blue from Namibia, winner in the climate change category, contributes to the restoration of natural ocean wilderness and the mitigation of excess CO2 by establishing large-scale kelp forests in deep waters.
“We were elated when we heard the results. It is spectacular and an honour to win the prize. Recognition is very important to us,” Caroline Slootweg, co-founder of Kelp Blue, told The National.
“The smaller companies who are trying their best need more spotlights to inspire others.”
The project, which has operations in Namibia, New Zealand and the US, cultivates the kelp forests in deep waters to restore ocean biodiversity and use the harvested kelp in farming and pharmaceutical applications.
The kelp helps to sequester 100,000 tons of CO2 annually and enhances ocean biodiversity and fish stocks.
Clean water for 35,000
Victor Sanchez Gutierrez, 16, a pupil from Colegio De Alto Rendimiento La Libertad high school in Peru, received the award in the high school category for a project that improves irrigation in a local water channel called La Mochica through phytoremediation – a process that uses plants to clean water.
La Mochica stems from the Moche River in Northern Peru. Plants were transplanted to the banks of the canal to absorb the mineral and organic contaminants.
“The project is water improvement in a channel built 3,000 years ago,” Victor told The National.
“It was constructed by an old culture called Cupisnique. Despite challenges, we managed to demonstrate how to solve problems in our community.”
Through the work of around 300 pupils, more than 35,000 Laredo residents will benefit from clean surface water.
“I feel emotional and overwhelmed because the project is showing results and the impact can be seen around the world,” Victor added.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on Quran memorisation:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The years Ramadan fell in May
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
