UAE Special Envoy Badr Jafar Earns 2026 UN Changemaker Award
Badr Jafar, the UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, has been awarded the 2026 UN Changemaker Award, recognizing his pivotal role in fostering sustainable development through strategic partnerships. This accolade was presented during the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, an event organized by the Global Partnerships Forum in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations.
Celebrating Visionary Leaders
The Changemakers Awards spotlighted a diverse group of leaders from various sectors, including government, business, and philanthropy. Among the honorees were José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Dr. Ann Aerts of the Novartis Foundation, and Dr. Srgjan Kerim, former President of the UN General Assembly’s 62nd Session. These leaders have been acknowledged for their efforts in turning transformative ideas into action.
Jafar’s Recognized Contributions
Amir Dossal, Founder and President of the Global Partnerships Forum, presented the award to Jafar at the UN Headquarters, praising his leadership in uniting business and philanthropy to drive sustainable and inclusive development. Dossal emphasized Jafar’s three decades of committed work, which exemplifies the power of effective collaboration in achieving tangible progress.
Promoting a Collaborative Ecosystem
In his acceptance remarks, Badr Jafar highlighted the necessity of a collaborative approach to achieving significant change. He underscored the importance of an interconnected ecosystem, where government, business, and philanthropy each play critical roles. Jafar stated, “Meaningful change is a collective effort, reliant on an ecosystem where government sets the framework, business scales solutions, and philanthropy bridges gaps and takes risks.”
Strategic Initiatives and Future Plans
As Special Envoy, Jafar is actively engaged in aligning business and philanthropic efforts with the UAE’s diplomatic priorities. During the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week, he is leading discussions at the UAE Mission on critical issues such as investment in the water sector ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi and the role of strategic philanthropy in supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Jafar’s efforts also include exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and inclusive growth, in partnership with the Emirates Foundation. His longstanding collaboration with the United Nations began in 2010 with the founding of the Pearl Initiative, aimed at promoting corporate governance across the Gulf region.
Aligning with UAE’s Vision
Appointed by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jafar’s role as Special Envoy is pivotal in enhancing the UAE’s diplomatic influence. His mandate focuses on fostering communication between the private and public sectors, mobilizing stakeholders to support the UAE’s strategic objectives, and encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
The Special Envoy’s work aligns with the “We the UAE 2031” vision and UAE Centennial 2071, initiatives that aim to position the UAE as a global leader in economic development and philanthropy. His contributions as a business leader and advocate for cross-sector cooperation are key to accelerating sustainable and inclusive economic progress.
Conclusion
Badr Jafar’s recognition with the UN Changemaker Award underscores the critical role of strategic partnerships in addressing global challenges. His leadership and vision continue to inspire efforts towards a more sustainable and inclusive future, fostering collaboration across sectors and borders.