Madrid: The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) celebrated the winners of the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development 2024 in Madrid, honoring pioneer projects in the field of 'Life Below Water,' Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals. The award recognizes the winners' efforts to protect marine ecosystems and reduce pollution.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the celebration was held under the patronage of a member of the prize committee Queen Sofia and in the presence of Chairman of the AGFUND Board of Directors and Chairman of the prize committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, as well as Saudi Ambassador to Spain Princess Haifa Al-Mogrin.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal emphasized that AGFUND believes true development is founded on justice, empowerment, and partnership. He added that the prize was established to serve as a platform for outstanding initiatives, foster creativity and innovation, and showcase pioneering projects that advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
He congratulated the winners on their innovative solutions that strengthen the protection of marine ecosystems and affirmed that this milestone will inspire further innovation and dedicated efforts toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal noted that the ceremony is being held at a time when the international community is preparing for a series of major global meetings in 2025, including meetings on climate, sustainable development, and financing for development, reflecting the magnitude of the responsibility and highlighting the importance of the program's role in supporting international efforts to build a more sustainable future.
For his part, AGFUND Executive Director Dr. Nasser Alkahtani stated that the prize is a key pillar of the program's strategy to support United Nations development organizations, helping identify and promote sustainable development solutions.
Member of the prize committee Signora Mercedes Menafra highlighted that the ongoing legacy of the prize reflects late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz's enduring developmental vision. She emphasized that Spain's hosting of this year's ceremony is particularly significant, given Queen Sofia's contributions to the protection of marine life and efforts to combat pollution.
The Prince Talal International Prize, awarded by AGFUND, carries a US$1,000,000 prize. Every year, the committee dedicates its competition to one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The winning projects for the year 2024 were as follows:
The first category award, worth US$400,000, went to 'Tide Turner Plastic Challenge: Catalysing youth action to reduce plastic pollution through behaviour change,' implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, and Madagascar, allocated to projects by UN agencies or international and regional NGOs.
The second category award went to 'NETCYCLE AFRICA - Closing the Loop on Waste Fishnets in Africa,' implemented by Chaint Afrique Academy in Ghana. The award is worth US$300,000 and is allocated to projects by national NGOs.
The third category award, worth US$200,000 and allocated to projects by governmental bodies (ministries and public institutions) or social business enterprises, went to 'Zero-Plastic Oceans (ZEPO),' implemented by eTrash2Cash (eT2C) in Nigeria.
The fourth category award, allocated to projects initiated, funded, and/or implemented by individuals, went to 'ALGRIF (ALG UNO): Transforming Marine Algae into Sustainable Biostimulants and Biofertilizers,' implemented by Abdelilah Hammada in Morocco, with a value of US$100,000.
AGFUND urged all concerned parties to submit nominations for the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development for 2025, dedicated to Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The deadline for submitting nominations will be January 30, 2026.