President Ilham Aliyev’s selection as the recipient of the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” for 2026 is a clear example of the high level of international appreciation for the political and diplomatic course pursued by Azerbaijan in recent years.
This award demonstrates not only individual leadership qualities, but also that the peace agenda shaped by the Azerbaijani state in the post-conflict period has been accepted on a global scale.
The “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” established by the United Arab Emirates, is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a symbol of the values of humanism, tolerance and peace. This prestigious award is presented to individuals and institutions that make a tangible contribution to the promotion of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, the protection of human dignity, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the strengthening of global solidarity. The philosophy of the award is based on the principles of understanding and coexistence, not confrontation.
Laureates of the “Zayed Human Fraternity Award” and the continuity of peace criteria
The laureates who have received the award to date demonstrate that these criteria have been consistently upheld. Pope Francis was awarded the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” for his contributions to expanding interfaith dialogue, promoting the concept of compassion at the global level, and bringing humanistic values to the forefront of the international agenda. At the same time, Sheikh of Al-Azhari Sharif, Grand Imam Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed Al-Tayyib, was awarded for his important role in strengthening tolerance in the Islamic world, developing interfaith understanding, and promoting dialogue between different faiths. In addition, the awarding of the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” to the United Nations confirms that the preservation of global peace, the expansion of humanitarian cooperation, and the strengthening of international solidarity are recognized as universal priorities.
The political path from war victory to peace leadership
It is precisely in this context that Ilham Aliyev’s receipt of the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” is not accidental. This choice is an indication of the logical consistency between the essence of the award and the political line that Azerbaijan has set towards peace, dialogue, and regional stability in the post-conflict period.
After achieving a military victory in 2020, Azerbaijan shaped new realities in the region. However, the main difference of these realities was that official Baku did not turn victory into an instrument of revanchism or revenge. On the contrary, immediately after the war, President Ilham Aliyev defined a strategic line based on peace and put forward the normalization of relations with Armenia as the main condition for regional stability. This demonstrated that a leader who emerges victorious in war is also capable of bearing political responsibility and succeeding in the peace era.
Obstacles on the path to peace and the triumph of political will
This path was not easy. Various external and internal circles attempted to encourage Armenia toward revanchism and to create new centers of confrontation in the South Caucasus. Efforts to slow down the peace process, push negotiations into a deadlock, and restore the status quo manifested themselves repeatedly. However, President Ilham Aliyev’s resolute, principled, and consistent policy prevented these attempts. Azerbaijan did not retreat from its position based on international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and succeeded in having its will accepted in the diplomatic arena as well.
The conclusion of the peace process in Washington in August 2025 is assessed precisely as a logical result of this political will. This event paved the way for Azerbaijan’s model of conflict resolution to be accepted internationally as an exemplary practice. The “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” is also the official confirmation of this reality, a symbol of Azerbaijan’s absolute victory and the global recognition of its peacebuilding strategy.
International recognition of Azerbaijan’s peace diplomacy
Lala Khalilzadeh, an expert on Arab countries at the Center for Analysis of International Relations, told APA that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s receipt of the “Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ” is a confirmation of the successes achieved by Azerbaijan in international peace diplomacy.
“This award is presented to leaders who promote the ideals of peace and fraternity, and it highlights Azerbaijan’s steps toward stability and cooperation in the region. Azerbaijan’s peace diplomacy is particularly noteworthy in the context of resolving the long-standing Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan successfully ensured the military resolution of the conflict, while at the same time striving to strengthen regional cooperation through dialogue and peace,” the expert emphasized.
The Abu Dhabi meeting and Azerbaijan’s regional and Middle Eastern peace line
Recalling that in July last year, the meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took place in the capital Abu Dhabi, Lala Khalilzadeh noted that it was after this meeting that a new political stage began in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations: "Although the signing of any document was not envisaged at that meeting, its essence was considered an important step on the path to a peace treaty. The Abu Dhabi meeting was considered an important stage, especially in terms of overcoming existing differences of opinion and forming common understandings."
The expert also noted that Azerbaijan's peacekeeping position is not limited to the region alone.
"This position is also reflected in the Middle East policy. It is developing partnership relations not only with the United Arab Emirates, but also with other Arab countries in the energy, trade and humanitarian spheres. This cooperation not only strengthens regional stability, but also serves to spread messages of peace, dialogue and brotherhood in the Muslim world. By maintaining a balanced and multilateral approach in peace initiatives, Azerbaijan strengthens both its relations with its neighbors and its influence in the international arena," she concluded.
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