DILI, 05 february 2026 (TATOLI) – President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta participated in the prestigious Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026 Ceremony held at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
Presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the gala brought together a distinguished assembly of world leaders, including the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia.
The event marked the seventh anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, a historic manifesto for peace that Timor-Leste was the first nation in the world to formally adopt into its national values.
The 2026 edition of the award, which carries a one-million-dollar prize, honored recipients whose lives embody the spirit of courage and compassion.
The honorees included President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia for their historic peace agreement, Zarqa Yaftali for her advocacy of girls’ education in Afghanistan, and the Palestinian Cooperation Foundation for over forty years of humanitarian service. During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that the winners’ actions serve as a beacon for international cooperation and the preservation of human dignity.
As a Nobel Peace Laureate and a long-standing advocate for global reconciliation, President Ramos-Horta’s presence underscored Timor-Leste’s active role in the global humanitarian discourse.
Ramos-Horta’s participation in the gala, coinciding with the International Day of Human Fraternity, reinforces the deep bilateral ties between Timor-Leste and the UAE.
By standing alongside other global dignitaries, the President reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s commitment to the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, further cementing the nation’s reputation as a pioneer in promoting the universal values of human fraternity.
TATOLI
