Kathmandu: Build Up Nepal has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Climate Action Category at a special ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). The award was presented under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, recognizing outstanding global contributions to sustainable development.

Established in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is one of the UAE’s most respected international honors. It celebrates innovative and impactful solutions across key sectors, including health, food, energy, water, climate action, and global high schools, while honoring the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, whose vision championed sustainability, humanitarianism, and international cooperation.

Build Up Nepal was recognized for its pioneering work in sustainable construction, particularly for producing low-carbon, earthquake-resilient eco-bricks. To date, the organization has produced 3.3 million eco-bricks, helped build more than 12,000 resilient homes, created 2,000 green jobs, and avoided over 110,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. These eco-bricks significantly reduce construction costs while improving safety and durability in earthquake-prone regions such as Jajarkot and West Rukum.

The award highlights Nepal’s growing contribution to global sustainability and demonstrates the power of locally driven innovation in addressing climate change, disaster resilience, and sustainable development challenges.

His Excellency Mr. Tej Bahadur Chhetri, Ambassador of Nepal to the UAE, attended the ceremony held during the inauguration of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi praised Build Up Nepal for its dedication and meaningful contributions to sustainable development.

The award was received on behalf of the organization by Mr. Bjorn Söderberg, Managing Director of Build Up Nepal.