Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
Armenian media report that this award also implies an impressive cash prize. The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan will each receive $1 million.
As JAMnews reports, it became known in January that Pashinyan and Aliyev became laureates of the award. But the award ceremony was held in Abu Dhabi on February 4. The awards were presented by the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan took the stage together to thank for the award. The President of Azerbaijan even joked “We need to agree on who will speak first.” The Armenian Prime Minister responded with a gesture, offering to speak first.
What was the award for
Ilham Aliyev called it symbolic that they are receiving the award in Abu Dhabi. He recalled that the Washington agreements they reached on August 8, 2025, were preceded by his meeting with Pashinyan in the UAE. According to the Azerbaijani President, it was in Abu Dhabi that they “finally agreed” on the establishment of peace. And an official confirmation of intentions has already taken place in the States.
The Armenian prime minister emphasized that the award is given to the leaders of the countries, but it is an achievement of two nations – Armenian and Azerbaijani.
“The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken bold steps. But it is the readiness of our peoples to choose a new future that makes this historic moment possible. This award is equally important for every Armenian and Azerbaijani who had the courage to hope for peace,” said Nikol Pashinyan.
Both laureates of the award expressed gratitude to the President of the UAE. They also thanked US President Donald Trump for his contribution to the establishment of peace.
This year, in addition to Pashinyan and Aliyev, the Zayed Prize was awarded to Zarqa Yeftali, who defends the right of women and girls to education in Afghanistan, and the Palestinian humanitarian organization Taawon.
Since its establishment, it has been awarded to 16 laureates from 15 countries. It is awarded to individuals and organizations that have “worked selflessly and tirelessly for human brotherhood and have made significant progress towards peaceful coexistence”.
