"Ajjaf" Honors Winning Clean Energy Projects at Prince Talal International Award in Armenia
The Arab Gulf Programme for Development organizes the Prince Talal International Award ceremony in Yerevan to honor clean energy projects, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Armenia.
Translated by Qiyas from كويت نيوز — Original source
Under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) will host the 27th edition of the Prince Talal International Award for Human Development in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on October 28 at the Devin Music Hall.
The ceremony will also be attended by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of AGFUND’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Award Committee; Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain, a member of the Award Committee; and the Excellencies and Honors members of the Award Committee. The event will honor the winning organizations and individuals whose projects have won in the award’s categories for the 2025 edition, which focuses on “Affordable and Clean Energy,” the seventh goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Yerevan was selected to host the ceremony coinciding with the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, reflecting the intersection between the award’s theme this year and international efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development, while highlighting the role of innovative solutions in improving human lives and preserving natural resources.
The ceremony will celebrate four projects offering innovative solutions in areas related to clean energy and human development, including climate-resilient water supply systems, enhancing food security and livelihoods, converting waste into biofuel, and expanding solar-powered irrigation services for smallholder farmers. These initiatives demonstrate the role of energy in meeting basic needs, improving production opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life in beneficiary communities.
The total value of the award is one million US dollars, distributed across four categories targeting projects by UN, international, and regional organizations; national civil society associations; government entities and social business enterprises; and individual initiatives. This structure aims to showcase diverse development experiences and expand their impact.
Established in 1999 under the name “AGFUND International Award for Entrepreneurial Human Development Projects,” the award was founded on a vision that believes in investing in human capital and encouraging innovation to combat poverty and marginalization. It was later renamed the Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Award, in honor of AGFUND’s founder, to commemorate his humanitarian legacy and recognize his contributions to human development.
The award’s concept is based on identifying successful development projects, honoring their leaders, and promoting their solutions and shared experiences. This helps replicate applicable models and expand their impact, particularly in improving the lives of the most vulnerable populations.
Since 2017, the award’s themes have been aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Each year, the Award Committee selects a theme linked to one of these goals to highlight practical experiences that contribute to its achievement.
Following this direction, the next edition of the award, scheduled for 2026, will focus on “Good Health and Well-being,” the third Sustainable Development Goal, honoring projects that contribute to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
