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Beyond2020, the UAE-driven humanitarian initiative has announced the deployment of critical solar energy lighting solutions at Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, lighting up the lives of 4,500 residents. The deployment in Bangladesh, which aims to enhance security and create better conditions for social and community activities after dark, marks the second phase of ‘20by2020’, which recently rebranded to ‘Beyond2020’ to serve as a flagship platform for continuous global outreach.

Going ‘beyond generations’, ‘beyond borders’ and ‘beyond limits’, Beyond2020 offers critical, life-transforming solutions to a broader number of beneficiaries worldwide, providing tech for good and fostering development that is inclusive and sustainable. 

Electricians Without Borders, a leading France-based non-profit organisation and the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020 winner under the ‘Energy’ category, was tasked with installing the technology on behalf of Beyond2020, at the world’s largest refugee camp. The previous Prize winner leveraged its award-winning experience from the highly acclaimed ‘Light for the Rohingyas’ project that improved the lives of thousands of people through renewable energy and entrepreneurial mentoring.

Building on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan by championing the humanitarian values of the UAE’s founding father, Beyond2020 donates sustainable technologies and solutions to vulnerable communities, with a total of nine countries reached, to date. Each solution or technology has already transformed other communities around the world and has been recognised by the Zayed Sustainability Prize as a winner or finalist.

H.E Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize said: “Empowering vulnerable communities and advancing global progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain the guiding principles of the Beyond2020 initiative. Beyond2020 and its partners are glad to play a part in helping the community in need in Bangladesh and supporting the efforts of humanitarian non-profits to relieve any hardships suffered by the community.”

H.E Al Jaber added, “The UAE has long had a holistic humanitarian outlook that is reinforced by the wise leadership with the aim of supporting sustainable solutions and launching and driving initiatives that aim to serve humanity in various parts of the world. We are pleased with the introduction of these vital lighting solutions by Beyond2020, bringing greater ease to the daily lives of the community and enhancing security, while building a more supportive environment for expanded community activities. We will continue to expand the reach and accessibility of the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s winners’ and finalists’ innovative sustainable solutions to even wider communities in the region and globally.” 

The rapid progress, perseverance, and expansion of Beyond2020 continues to be crucial as the world navigates the economic repercussions of the pandemic, requiring accelerated collaborative efforts by all stakeholders across the international sustainability community.

Mr. Johannes van der Klaauw, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) Representative in Bangladesh said: “The Beyond2020 initiative is breaking new ground in giving access to sustainable energy solutions. In Bangladesh, this generous donation will make a real positive difference in the lives of vulnerable Rohingya refugees. Light at night improves security and has important positive social impacts in the community, particularly for people living with disabilities and for women and young girls. The use of sustainable technology, such as the expanded use of renewable energy solutions, is a key priority for UNHCR in Bangladesh.”

Electricians Without Borders provided its international expertise in the field of renewable energy projects for off grid communities by installing 240 Solar Home Systems and 640 solar lamps in the refugee camp while training its residents in equipment maintenance for their respective households. The Beyond2020 deployment in Bangladesh targets all refugees, with a focus on people with disabilities, pregnant women, and young girls.

As part of the initiative’s first phase, a total of eight deployments have been rolled out to date, including energy, health, water and food-related solutions in Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, and Indonesia. In addition to Bangladesh, another 11 countries have been identified for phase two. 

Beyond2020 brings together a leading and growing roster of UAE-based and international partners which include Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, Masdar, and BNP Paribas. 

Beyond2020 is a continuation of the 20by2020 initiative, having positively impacted the lives of approximately 110,000 people across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa

Abu Dhabi, UAE – March 17, 2021: Following the widespread success of the 20by2020 initiative in helping deliver vital sustainable solutions to vulnerable communities around the world, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has announced the transformation of the 20by2020 initiative into Beyond2020, establishing it as a flagship platform of the Prize for continuous global outreach.

Beyond2020 represents the second phase of the initiative, which is led by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in partnership with various leading local and international organisations and has, since its launch in December 2019, reached 8 countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and positively impacted approximately 110,000 people during its first phase. 

The pioneering initiative oversees the donation and deployment of Prize winners’ and finalists’ technologies and sustainable solutions, to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, spanning the sectors of health, food, energy, and water. 

Going ‘beyond generations’, ‘beyond borders’ and ‘beyond limits’, Beyond2020 offers critical, life-transforming solutions to a broader number of beneficiaries worldwide, providing tech for good and fostering development that is inclusive and sustainable. 

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize said: “Last year, 20by2020 managed to generate phenomenal impact across the globe, connecting thousands of people with transformative sustainable solutions that improved their daily lives and overall wellbeing, while helping them navigate the adverse socio-economic implications of the global pandemic.”

His Excellency added, “Beyond2020 will continue to honour the UAE founding father’s enduring and timeless legacy of humanitarianism and sustainable development, which truly reflects the country’s role as a proactive global citizen. At a time when the international community focuses on building back better from COVID-19, Beyond2020 seeks to enhance the resiliency of vulnerable communities in the face of the pandemic and accelerate the foundations for a brighter and more sustainable future.”

H.E. Al Jaber highlighted that the steadfast support of the initiative’s partners and their collaborative efforts under Beyond2020, will be instrumental in advancing various UN Sustainable Development Goals, reducing disparities, and taking on a prominent role in a people-centred, post-pandemic recovery. 

In 2020, the initiative (20by2020), deployed sustainable solutions ranging from critical access to energy and safe water to providing healthcare and essential nutrition. Countries reached include Tanzania, Uganda, Nepal, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, and Indonesia. 

Phase 2 of the initiative (Beyond2020) will formally commence through a key energy project in Bangladesh and then extend the reach of the initiative into Latin America.
To date, 12 countries have been identified as part of the initiative’s second phase, to amplify its international humanitarian drive and reach more off-grid and vulnerable communities throughout the world.
Beyond2020 will be deploying sustainable solutions in Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, India, Lebanon, The Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru.

Beyond2020 partners include Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum, the UAE Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, Masdar, and BNPP Paribas; the most recent partner to join the initiative and the first international private company. 

Zayed Sustainability Prize finalist’s technology delivers a source of vital clean water to vulnerable communities

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 26 October 2020 – Thousands of people across three Cambodian villages can now live safer, healthier lives following the deployment of new water purifying technology as part of the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s UAE-driven humanitarian initiative, 20by2020.

After the most recent installation of solar powered light systems in vulnerable communities in Egypt and Jordan, the initiative has progressed with five water fountains, benefiting the 4,400 residents of the Chhnok Trou, Kampong Phrah and Ses Salab villages.

Due to the instalment of the water ultra-filtration solution, organised by the 20by2020 initiative, the village communities, along with the Chhnok Trou school and clinic, have access to clean and safe water for the first time. Not only does this gives residents an option for avoiding many of the waterborne diseases and other health issues stemming from dirty water, it will offer new opportunities for better hygiene, an essential requirement given the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of coronavirus. 

Over time it is intended that this access will improve the outlooks for residents through better hydration and the prevention of illness, which has been statistically proven to have significant, positive effects on the overall health and wellbeing of communities alongside individual growth and development.  

20by2020’s support has seen yet another community benefit from life-saving technology. In Cambodia, the solution deployed has been developed by Safe Water Cube, a French company that was a Zayed Sustainability Prize finalist in 2019 under the Water Category. The technology deployment in Cambodia  makes surface water drinkable (river, pond) by removing viruses and bacteria that cause diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis, from up to 1,000 litres of water per hour with no energy or maintenance required, and no chemicals used.

Commenting on the activation in Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “This innovative water purification technology will positively impact the health and wellbeing of many people in rural Cambodia.  Through the 20by2020 initiative, we are leveraging the sustainable solutions of Zayed Sustainability Prize winners and finalists to successfully impact countless lives around the world.” 

H.E Al Jaber added “By streamlining efforts with the 20by2020 partners to achieve a more sustainable world, we can extend the impact of the inspiring humanitarian and international development vision of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, while reinforcing the country’s role in humanitarian aid and progress towards sustainability.”

Delivering this positive and impactful work across the world is the main objective of 20by2020, a UAE initiative led by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum, Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and Masdar. 

H.E. Mr. Lim Kean Hor, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology and Chairman of the Tonle Sap Authority of the Royal Government of Cambodia stated: “We welcome the 20by2020 initiative whose contribution meets one of the strategic objectives of the Tonle Sap Authority to improve access to safe drinking water in the remote areas around the Tonle Sap Great Lake.”

H.E. Mr. Lim Kean Hor added, “On behalf of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Zayed Sustainability Prize, in addition to the 20by2020 partners for providing these innovative solutions.”

Access to safe drinking water is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations adopted by 193 countries. In Cambodia especially, the provision of clean drinking water remains a major challenge; more than 3 million people lack access to safe water and 6 million lack access to improved sanitation. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that inadequate sanitation, water, and hand washing facilities in the country are a barrier to children attending school and performing well, especially girls. 

Similarly, Cambodian health care facilities are often reported as having insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene amenities, with only 50% reported by the National Institute of Public Health as always having sufficient water for their needs. The latest 20by2020 deployment is the first step in providing a new dawn for the villages of Chhnok Trou, Kampong Phrah and Ses Salab.

As part of the initiative’s first phase, a total of six deployments have been rolled out to date, including energy, health, water, and food-related solutions in Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan, Nepal, Tanzania, and Uganda. 20by2020 also plans to deploy additional solutions before the end of the year; with the scheduling dependent on individual country-specific conditions in light of the global pandemic.

Upcoming technology deployments include water and energy-related projects in Bangladesh, Madagascar, Costa Rica and Indonesia. 

As part of the UAE humanitarian initiative, ‘20by2020’, the Zayed Sustainability Prize announced that Prince Hamzah Hospital in the Jordanian capital Amman has deployed sustainable lighting solutions. The hospital is currently treating the largest number of COVID-19 patients in the country.

Sunna Design, the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2018 winner under the ‘Energy category’ and a France-based SME, is installing high-performance energy-efficient LED solar lights at the public hospital, to provide sustainable lighting and enhance the safety of the area for more than 3,000 people and more than 100 medical staff, on a daily basis.

20by2020 is a UAE-driven initiative led by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Mubadala Petroleum, Year of Tolerance and Masdar, in addition to Majid Al Futtaim, who recently joined the initiative in support of the Jordan deployment.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said, "The 20by2020 initiative deploys the solutions of Zayed Sustainability Prize winners and finalists, to effectively impact communities and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in health, food, energy and water. This is in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to support development efforts around the world and embody the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed to strengthen sustainability, and this is an area that represents an inspiring roadmap as we seek positive progress."

Al Jaber added, "The latest 20by2020 deployment, comes at a time when medical staff at Prince Hamzah Hospital, a key pillar in Jordan’s public healthcare sector, take on a critical role in combatting COVID-19, and we are honoured to provide practical sustainable solutions to further bolster the hospital’s strong capabilities and efforts."

He went on to say that the steadfast support of the 20by2020 partners has been instrumental in the initiative’s global success, as all parties work collaboratively to leverage common values and empower communities through impactful solutions.

The 20by2020 initiative oversees the donation and deployment of previous Prize winners’ and finalists’ technologies, to communities around the world, with the aim of championing and effectively driving the sustainability and humanitarian values of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, while pursuing key global sustainable development goals.

The first phase of 20by2020 is currently overseeing the installation of solutions in 10 countries - with four countries already rolled out to date, including Nepal, Tanzania and Uganda. The initiative will also deploy another 10 solutions by the end of the year; however, the timings are dependent on individual country-specific conditions in light of the global pandemic.

Upcoming technology deployments include energy and water-related projects in Egypt, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Madagascar and Costa Rica.

For his part, Dr. Saad Jaber, Jordan’s Minister of Health, commented, "The 20by2020 initiative coincides with the pivotal responsibility and role that Prince Hamzah Hospital and its staff are playing in treating the largest number of coronavirus patients in Jordan, in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

"On behalf of the Hospital and Jordan’s healthcare sector, I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Zayed Sustainability Prize, in addition to the 20by2020 partners, for installing these important environmentally-friendly solutions, and we look forward to exploring other avenues of future collaboration," he added.

• Global heads of state, senior UAE government and business leaders convene for launch of the largest sustainability gathering in the Middle East
• To align more closely with the UAE Vision 2021 and the UN’s SDGs, ADSW 2020 will address global sustainability challenges and opportunities under the six pillars of Energy and Climate Change, Water and Food, Future of Mobility, Space, Biotechnology in Health and Tech for Good

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 13, 2019: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, today welcomed global heads of state, local dignitaries and business leaders to Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2020.

The opening ceremony at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including HE Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia; Armen Sarkissian, President of the Republic of Armenia; HE Danny Faure, President of the Republic of Seychelles; HE Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, President of the Republic of Mali; HE Julius Maada Bio, president of the Republic of Sierra Leone; HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; HE Anna Brnabić, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; HE Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bangladesh; HE Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, also attended the opening ceremony, as well as HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; HH Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; HH Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office; and HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court.  

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the UAE continued its vital role under the leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in uniting efforts to find solutions to the major challenges facing the world today, as well as charting a common path to building a promising and sustainable future for all.

His Highness said: “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week reflects the UAE’s leading position as a strong supporter of global sustainability initiatives and has transformed into a global platform that catalyses sustainable strategies and real-world solutions to help drive human progress. It is a dedication to the approach of the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who adopted sustainability as a way of working to achieve progress in all areas.

His Highness added: “We look to the future with more determination and confidence to continue the path of the leading nation and achieve what is best for our future generations and all of humanity.”

His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, delivered the keynote address, in which he thanked the UAE leadership and expressed his happiness to participate in the Masdar-hosted Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. 

“We need to work together to address the repercussions of climate change and find alternative energy sources to meet the  world’s growing needs,” President Widodo said, noting the active role that Indonesia plays in supporting the transition to biofuels. 

He added: “Our time is short and environmental challenges will define this century. This creates challenges but also opportunities to clean the air, to reduce the noise and to build new cities for new generations. That is why we are undertaking one of the biggest initiatives in our country’s history – building a new capital city from the ground up. This new capital city will be the showcase of the most advanced technologies and way of living. In building our new capital city, we will learn from urban planners, including  our hosts Masdar City. 

During his welcome address at the opening ceremony, His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, outlined how the UAE was harnessing energy and technologies of the future to drive sustainability.

“In the first two decades of the 21st century, we saw life expectancy reach new heights, global child mortality cut in half and the middle class more than double. However, while human progress is accelerating, another key challenge is emerging – how to produce the energy and resources the world needs, while protecting the world we all share together.”

HE Dr Al Jaber added that the UAE had taken this challenge head-on and was a first mover in promoting and investing in advanced energy.

“Through initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Masdar, and others, we have launched renewable energy projects totalling almost 12 gigawatts here in the UAE and across more than 30 countries around the world. Nationally, we have grown our renewable energy portfolio by over 400 percent in the last 10 years and we are well on track to double it again in the next 10 years. 

“And to complement our clean energy portfolio, this year we will become the first country in the region to deliver safe, commercial and peaceful nuclear power. In short, the UAE not only talks the talk, but walks the walk when it comes to delivering sustainable, clean energy. We do this because it is right and it makes perfect economic sense,” HE Dr Al Jaber added. 

The opening ceremony was followed by a high-level luncheon hosted by senior government officials and business leaders in the UAE and brought together some of the world's top sustainability leaders from the public, private and academic sectors to discuss trends and measures to promote sustainability around the world.

To align more closely with the UAE Vision 2021 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ADSW has widened its scope beyond renewable energy. ADSW 2020 will address global sustainability challenges and opportunities on the six pillars of Energy and Climate Change, Water and Food, Future of Mobility, Space, Biotechnology in Health and Tech for Good. Cutting across ADSW’s 2020 programmes and pillars will be Artificial Intelligence, Youth and Community.

ADSW’s anchor event, the World Future Energy Summit, will feature more than 800 exhibiting companies from 40 countries. Under the umbrella of WFES, the Future Sustainability Summit is being held on January 14-15, bringing together leaders from government, the non-profit community, institutional investors and the private sector to debate accelerating the transition to a sustainable society. The 2020 theme for the Summit is Rethinking Global Consumption, Production and Investment.

New to ADSW 2020 is the Smart Cities Expo & Forum, which will bring forward-thinking governments and municipalities together with pioneers in smart infrastructure, future transportation and next-generation building technology to develop the potential of connected communities – from sustainable planning to smart mobility.

The second edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) will continue the momentum generated by last year’s event. ADSFF 2020 will highlight the latest progress in Abu Dhabi’s Sustainable Finance Agenda, promote the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, and exclusively reveal new UAE Sustainable Finance Principles.

The Youth 4 Sustainability Hub (Y4S) will provide a platform for students, young professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs to become more educated about the future of the sustainability industry. As part of the Hub, CLIX (the Climate Innovations Exchange) will again connect youth, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors to enable partnerships that will power climate change solutions through knowledge, innovation and funding. 

Meanwhile, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform will host its annual Forum on January 14.

ADSW has also expanded its programmes and activations aimed at engaging local communities across the UAE. These include an “Eco-Bus” tour of the seven emirates, designed to educate young children and families around the importance and opportunity of sustainability, while Masdar has built the world’s largest mosaic out of recycled materials with the help of people from around Abu Dhabi. As part of the 2020 calendar, the Festival at Masdar City will be extended to three days, running from January 16-18.  

Addressing some of the world’s most pressing and core development challenges, and aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, the finalists of the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020 were announced today – with 30 candidates now vying to win up to 10 awards, across five categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Global High Schools.

This year, innovations presented by the finalists entail sustainable solutions for a range of key areas such as nutrition, healthcare, energy and disaster relief – through a variety of technologies which include artificial intelligence (AI), biotech, The Internet of Things (IoT), phone apps, drones, community infrastructure and affordable payment platforms. Many of these are integrated with impactful long-term programmes and mechanisms like practical skills training, social entrepreneurialism and gender empowerment.

Such solutions have never been more critical; especially as The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019 warns that a much deeper, faster and more ambitious response is required to unleash the social and economic transformation needed to achieve the 2030 goals. The report further suggests that global challenges persist, including entrenched deprivation from basic human needs - such as food, water, healthcare and reliable energy access – in addition to widespread vulnerabilities to the ever-rising prevalence of natural disasters and other ramifications of climate change. 

Commenting on the announcement, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Year on year, the UAE has taken a leading global role in sustainability – by engaging with, recognising and supporting impact-driven solutions that tackle ongoing humanitarian challenges. This approach is closely aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the UAE’s 2021 Vision – both of which are reflected in the objectives of the Zayed Sustainability Prize and its five core categories.”

“We are deeply inspired by the bold solutions and resolute mindset of previous winners – who have collectively gone on to effect real change to the lives of over 318 million people since winning the Prize. Similarly, we will remain true to the values inspired by Sheikh Zayed and his legacy, by continuing to champion like-minded pioneers – with an aim to further facilitate long-term, sustainable development.” 

The announcement of the 2020 finalists took place on the sidelines of the Prize’s Jury Meeting, the third and final stage of its annual evaluation process. The 12-member Prize Jury is a distinguished complement of former heads of state from Mexico and Iceland, a former prime minister of the Republic of Korea, UAE government ministers and representatives, and internationally-renowned businesspersons.

In the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, each winner receives USD600,000. The Global High Schools category has six winners, representing six world regions, with each winner receiving up to USD100,000. 

As the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognising sustainable and humanitarian development, a total of 76 winners have, directly and indirectly, impacted over 318 million lives since the Prize was established in 2008. This year, in its twelfth annual awards cycle, the Prize received a record 2,373 entries from 129 countries.

Following its 11th annual awards ceremony, held in January, the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE's pioneering global award in sustainability, entered a four-month submissions phase for the 2020 awards, which closed on 30th May with a record 2,373 completed submissions; a 13 per cent increase over the previous year.

Of the entries received, the breakdown across the Prize’s five categories was: Health (514), Food (570), Energy (522), Water (377), and Global High Schools (390). With an overall increase in submissions, last year’s decision to expand the Prize’s recognition of sustainability categories, alongside energy, continues to prove that the global trend for addressing an increasing number of sustainability priorities is growing.

From the 2,373 submissions received, the top five countries by submissions were Nigeria, UAE, USA, Colombia, and India. The top three world regions were Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In the Prize’s home market of the UAE, submissions from organisations and high schools saw a significant increase of 86 per cent.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Prize, said: “Inspired by the legacy of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize continues to demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to promoting sustainability and humanitarianism.”

“It is encouraging to note the immediate impact that has been made since the Prize aligned itself more closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], with the introduction of the revised categories last year. For the 2020 awards, this upward trend in both entry numbers and global reach has continued. I look forward to learning more about this year’s most innovative, impactful and inspiring sustainability solutions, during the evaluation stage.”

A key trend, noted in the 2020 awards submissions data, is that emerging market organisations and high schools are making significant strides across multiple sustainability sectors. This is reflected in the 74 per cent of this year’s entries coming from emerging economies that are increasingly investing in the development of both innovative technologies and their communities.

In addition to its global reach, equally impressive year-on-year growth was specifically noted across the Prize’s Health, Food, and Water categories. This was also true in the Global High Schools category, which saw the highest growth rates – a 232 per cent increase, across the Middle East and North Africa region, and a 32 per cent rise, worldwide.

For the 2020 awards, 390 completed submissions were received from high schools, up from 295 last year. Submission numbers for the six world regions were: The Americas (115), Sub-Saharan Africa (106), Middle East & North Africa (93), Europe & Central Asia (26), South Asia (14), and East Asia and Pacific (36).

Following the close of the submissions, the Prize enters the evaluation stage. All entries will now be shortlisted by an independent research and analysis consultancy. A Selection Committee comprised of globally renowned industry experts will then assess the shortlisted entries and choose the finalists. The third and final tier of the evaluation process is the Jury, which will meet in Abu Dhabi in October, to select the winners in each category.

Since its launch, in 2008, the US$3 million annual prize has, directly and indirectly, positively impacted 318 million lives. Its global reach continues to grow and act as a catalyst for other sustainable development initiatives, in many countries around the world. Each category winner receives a prize fund of US$600,000. The Global High Schools category winners split the amount among six high schools from six world regions, each receiving up to US$100,000.

The winners of the 2020 awards will be announced at the Prize’s 12th annual awards ceremony that will take place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, on 13th January 2020.

With exactly one month to go until the 30th May submissions deadline, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has today issued a final call to small-to-medium sized enterprises, non-profit organisations and high schools, around the world, to submit their entries for the 2020 edition of the UAE’s pioneering sustainability award.

Now in its 12th annual award cycle and, since 2018, expanded in scope to include additional sustainability categories, alongside energy, the US$3 million annual Prize rewards organisations and high schools that demonstrate sustainable solutions across three core criteria: impact, innovation, and inspiration.

Small-to-medium sized enterprises and non-profit organisations must enter an existing sustainability solution with demonstrable impact in one of the Health, Food, Energy, or Water categories. The Global High Schools category invites student-led projects or proposals, based on one or more of those four sustainability themes, and provides funding to help develop or enhance their school or local community project.

Commenting on this year’s submissions process, Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said:

“Since its establishment in 2008, the Prize has recognised 76 winners whose many achievements have had outstanding, direct and indirect, impact on 318 million lives. With last year’s evolution of the Prize categories to recognise more than just energy, the level of interest in the Health, Food, and Water categories has been extremely positive.”

“With one month to go before the close of submissions, we are confident the 2020 awards will be one of the most competitive in the Prize’s history. We encourage interested organisations and high schools to submit their proposal and become part of an international community committed to building a global sustainability legacy.”

The US$3 million prize fund is divided equally between the winners of the five categories, with each allocated US$600,000. In the Global High Schools category, the award recognises six winners, from six world regions, with each winning school eligible to claim up to US$100,000 in funding.

Sunna Design’s 8 “iSSL Maxi 4” solar streetlights to be monitored over 12-month period

Following their win last year, at the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s 10th annual awards ceremony (formerly Zayed Future Energy Prize), Sunna Design has announced a partnership with Masdar City, in Abu Dhabi, to conduct a 12-month pilot scheme for its “iSSL Maxi 4” solar streetlights to undergo weather endurance monitoring.

Based in France, Sunna Design is an industry leader of solar energy management for autonomous and connected applications. With solar street lighting being at the core of its business, in the last week of January, eight solar streetlights were installed near Masdar City’s Eco-Villa development. The “iSSL Maxi 4” is already a popular product with Sunna Design customers around the world; however, the monitoring period is intended to further demonstrate confidence in their long-term performance and durability.

According to Sunna Design, the solar street lights are designed to be a reliable, robust and powerful stand-alone solar lighting solution for inter-tropical regions of the world and particularly suitable for road and car park lighting. In addition to its advanced solar technology, the WiFi connectivity within each streetlight means the data and performance of each unit can be monitored remotely, from the company’s head office in Blanchefort, France.

The iSSL Maxi 4 model was a key factor in the company receiving the 2018 Prize and, after the conclusion of this pilot project, the aim will be to have further demonstrated the effectiveness and longevity of this solar-powered lighting solution to more countries and regions that endure extreme heat.

Commenting on the project, Thomas Samuel, Chairman and Founder of Sunna Design, said: "Sunna Design is extremely proud to partner with Masdar City for this pilot project, showcasing our best-in-class solar street lights in the GCC’s leading, purpose-built, low carbon community.”

“The iSSL Maxi 4 is our best-selling road lighting product and with our latest battery and electronics patented technology is designed to operate for 10 years without technical maintenance. The 12-month pilot project is part of Sunna Design’s commitment to ongoing research and development and a desire to always be improving our technologies and products for our customers. Sunna has implemented many projects with private sector and government stakeholders, across the GCC, and that momentum has only accelerated after winning the Prize, in 2018."

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “As a previous winner of the Prize, we are delighted to be supporting Sunna Design and its partnership with Abu Dhabi’s flagship low-carbon community, Masdar City, as they conduct tests on one of its novel solar-powered streetlights. The partnership reflects the commitment these organisations, and the Prize, share for expanding clean energy access.”

Inspired by the sustainability and humanitarian legacy of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognising innovative and inspirational sustainability solutions that deliver human impact.

Executive Director of Masdar City, Yousef Baselaib, said: “Around a third of Masdar City’s electricity needs are provided by solar power and, from a smart city perspective, we recognise that data collection enables a greater understanding of how best to integrate renewable energy solutions into infrastructure and community developments. To this end, we are delighted to be partnering with Sunna Design for their weather endurance monitoring project and helping them realise their objectives.”

Following the evolution of the Zayed Future Energy Prize into the Zayed Sustainability Prize, in 2018, the recent annual awards ceremony, in January, now includes categories in Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Global High Schools. This broadening recognition of sustainability solutions, alongside energy, demonstrates the Prize’s now closer alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as supporting the UAE’s government’s National Agenda 2021.

A total of 76 winners have so far been recipients of the Prize. Collectively, these winners have gone on to, directly and indirectly, affect positive impact on the lives of over 318 million people around the world.

Winners of the 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize were announced at the annual awards ceremony, held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, on 14th January.

Submissions for the 2020 Zayed Sustainability Prize are now open and will run from 30th January – 30th May 2019.

Evolving from 10 years of success as the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the UAE’s preeminent sustainability Prize undergoes a strategic refocus

The Zayed Future Energy Prize will today become the Zayed Sustainability Prize as part of a strategic move to refocus its mandate. After ten years of successfully promoting renewable energy initiatives across the globe, the Prize will now broaden its focus to affect greater humanitarian impact by supporting a wider range of solutions to the challenges of sustainable development.

Commenting on the Prize’s transformation, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Inspired by the vision and legacy of our founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Future Energy Prize has, for the last decade, been able to positively impact 307 million lives through empowering access to energy, clean water, education, training, advocacy and more.

“In a move to align more closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UAE’s developing national agenda, going forward the Prize will broaden its reach beyond renewable energy, and reward projects and innovative solutions from a wider spectrum of sustainability and human development initiatives. In addition the Prize will expand its support of young people through the Global High Schools category, which will now reward youth-driven projects from a greater number of world regions.”

Based on its renewed mission, the Prize now has five distinct categories for applicants to choose from: Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. These pillars are interconnected and representative of basic needs essential to human survival where innovations will yield progress in sustainable development.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “The new categories were carefully selected to reflect the most pressing sustainability challenges and offer the greatest socio-economic impact on the lives of people around the world.”

“The Zayed Sustainability Prize will also look to inspire today’s youth to be forward-thinkers and cultivate within them a vested interest in becoming agents of change for sustainable development – after all, youth of today are leaders of tomorrow. Beyond that, we look to recognise existing innovations and amplify their reach so that they may benefit more people and bring us closer to helping solve some of humanity's biggest challenges,” Dr. Lamya added.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize will see a three-stage evaluation process, beginning with the due diligence that is conducted by a reputed international research and analysis consultancy. Following this, the shortlisted entries will undergo evaluations by a Selection Committee to determine the finalists. From these finalists, a Jury will select the winners in all five categories, including the winning schools from six world regions.

The deliberations on who wins the Zayed Sustainability Prize are set against three core criteria where entrants must demonstrate:

Impact: Significant and tangible outcomes on the quality of people’s lives

Innovation: Distinctive characteristics to change the “status quo” and potential to catalyse opportunities that will have a disruptive positive impact and transformative change

Inspiration: The potential to scale up project outcomes in the next decade and the ability to inspire others

Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at the awards ceremony during the opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, on 14th January 2019.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize is open for submissions from today, 17th April 2018, and will close on 9th August 2018. More information can be obtained at www.zayedsustainabilityprize.com.