Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, has been appointed to the jury of the prestigious 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. This marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first representative from Central Asia to be invited to take part in such an influential international initiative.

The award is granted annually to individuals and organizations making a significant contribution to addressing global social challenges — from poverty alleviation to the promotion of sustainable development. Nominees are selected from over 60 countries, and the top prize totals 1 million US dollars.

Saida Mirziyoyeva stated that it is a great honor for her to join the jury of such a respected award and to represent Central Asia. “I am sincerely pleased to be part of the jury of this distinguished award. Together with my colleagues, we strive to recognize the efforts of unsung heroes whose humanitarian work brings about positive change in different parts of the world,” she emphasized.

Alongside Saida Mirziyoyeva, other prominent jury members include UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, former President of the European Council Charles Michel, and other respected international experts.

The award covers several key areas, including healthcare, food security, energy, water resources, and the “Global High Schools” category. The total prize fund amounts to 5.9 million US dollars. Under the school category, six schools — one from each continent — are recognized annually, each receiving up to 150,000 dollars to implement and expand social initiatives.

Last year, the Presidential School in Tashkent won in the school category, marking a significant acknowledgment of Uzbekistan’s achievements in the field of education on the global stage.