AlDhabi AlMheiri has secured first place in the Youth Environmental Advocates category at the second edition of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award, during an official ceremony held on 3 February at Qasr Al Nakheel in Abu Dhabi. The award ceremony was hosted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, who honored the winners in recognition of their impactful contributions to environmental action.
The recognition comes at a time when the inclusion of children and youth in environmental initiatives is increasingly viewed as a strategic priority—not merely as beneficiaries, but as active leaders and change-makers. This approach is reflected in AlMheiri’s journey through initiatives that integrate education, community responsibility, and climate action.
Commenting on the achievement, AlMheiri highlighted the role of the UAE’s leadership in shaping her motivation, stating:
“When our leadership emphasizes that people are the foundation, every young person feels a real responsibility toward their country and its environment. This belief is what drives us to act and continue.”
The significance of the award lies in the nature of its category, which reflects a shift from traditional environmental awareness to advocacy rooted in knowledge, action, and sustainability, in alignment with the UAE’s national environmental and climate strategies.
Through child-focused environmental initiatives, AlMheiri has worked to present sustainability concepts in a simple and practical way, reinforcing her belief that children can create meaningful impact when provided with the right knowledge and tools.
AlDhabi AlMheiri is widely recognized as one of the leading young global voices in sustainability, child empowerment, and children’s rights. She is an official signatory to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) issued by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, and a member of the SDG Publishers Compact, supporting the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
She was honored as a Net Zero Hero by UNICEF and the UAE Ministry of Education during COP28, selected as a Child Rights Ambassador by the Swedish Institute, and awarded the UN General Assembly Social Ambassador Award in recognition of her contributions to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
AlMheiri also holds advanced certifications in climate policy, sustainable development, Paris Agreement implementation, net-zero transition, and sustainable finance, obtained through specialized training programs delivered by UNITAR, UNU-IAS, and GIZ / SEB / PAGE.
