The “Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards” is a global initiative recognizing efforts aligned with the UN SDG Action Campaign and the broader Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

The awards, launched as part of the SDG Global Festival of Action, highlight work across areas including climate action, gender equality, education and peacebuilding.

Marina Ponti, global director of the campaign, said the program aims to amplify voices from underserved communities leading transformative change. She described awardees as individuals who act decisively despite constraints and demonstrate commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable world.

Ponti said the 2026 edition will feature three categories: Changemaker, recognizing leadership in justice and peace; Creativity, focusing on initiatives using art and innovation; and Resilience, highlighting efforts addressing conflict, inequality and climate pressures.

Past awardees include Syrian refugee Jin Dawod, whose mental health platform supports displaced communities across 26 countries, and Julienne Lusenge, known for her work supporting survivors of gender-based violence and advancing peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to Ponti, the program has received around 5,500 applications from 190 countries in recent years, with entries assessed on impact, scalability and innovation, alongside what she described as a distinguishing “wow factor.”

She noted disparities in application volumes due to barriers such as language and access, with a higher share of submissions coming from English-speaking countries. The campaign is exploring measures to improve inclusivity through expanded outreach, language support and partnerships.

Ponti added that governments can strengthen participation by investing in local initiatives through funding, training and capacity-building programs to help scale grassroots solutions.

Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony scheduled for later in the year.

“Coming from a medical background, I’m naturally optimistic,” Al-Rabeeah told Arab News on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. “With increasing acceptance of Palestine by many countries, particularly in the West, we are moving closer to achieving a durable solution.”

The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, led to the adoption of the New York Declaration—a comprehensive roadmap outlining timebound, actionable steps to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Endorsed by the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support, the declaration provides a multi-dimensional framework covering political governance, security, humanitarian assistance, economic recovery, and legal accountability. Key measures include an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reunification with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority (excluding Hamas), a temporary UN-led stabilization mission, and a halt to Israeli settlement expansion.

“The people of Palestine have endured immense suffering for many years,” Al-Rabeeah said. “The two-state solution remains the only viable path for long-term peace and a brighter future for Palestinians.”

Al-Rabeeah also highlighted global humanitarian challenges, ahead of a high-level UN meeting on displaced populations. With over 130 million people displaced worldwide and donor fatigue threatening aid efforts, he called for renewed international commitment.

“We face multiple crises — in Sudan, Ukraine, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond,” he noted. “This meeting is essential to highlight the urgency of resolving ongoing crises, preventing new ones, and ensuring a better future for refugees and displaced communities.”