UNESCO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today unveiled plans for a new global education award, representing the largest prize of its kind with a $1 million purse. The “UNESCO Global Quality and Excellence in Education Award,” launched in Riyadh, aims to recognize impactful contributions across all education levels and six continents, beginning with a 2026 cycle focused on teacher empowerment [[2]]. This initiative, supported by Saudi Arabia’s ongoing investments in e-learning [[1]], seeks to bolster global educational standards and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4.
A $1 million prize – an amount exceeding the entire education budgets of some nations – is at the heart of a newly announced global education award, UNESCO revealed today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The “UNESCO Global Quality and Excellence in Education Award” was formally launched by UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini.
The award, slated to begin in 2026, will be the largest of its kind, encompassing all levels of education across six continents through UNESCO’s regional center in Saudi Arabia. This initiative marks a significant investment in recognizing and promoting innovation in education worldwide.
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The competition will be structured around three key areas and six categories, encompassing government, community, and pioneering initiatives. The inaugural cycle will focus on the theme of “Empowered and Empowering Teachers.”
- Area One: Government Initiatives (broad and narrow scope)
- Area Two: Community Initiatives from for-profit and non-profit organizations
- Area Three: A “Pioneers” category for innovative institutions and individuals
UNESCO Director-General Dr. Khaled El-Enany and other international leaders were present as Giannini emphasized the crucial role of Saudi Arabia’s hosting and funding in ensuring the sustainability of this historic initiative. The substantial financial commitment underscores the importance placed on improving educational outcomes globally.
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Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Medires, Director-General of the center, stated that the award received approval from the Board of Directors, chaired by Saudi Minister of Education Yousef Al-Banyan. He affirmed that the center is launching not just an award, but a global partnership rooted in UNESCO’s core vision.
Deputy Director-General Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Rois explained that the award aims to support Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda, and to promote an Arab model of quality and excellence in education by honoring best practices and facilitating the global exchange of knowledge.
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This achievement positions Saudi Arabia as a leader in global education and reaffirms its commitment to transforming the Kingdom into an international knowledge hub and a leading regional center for the development of future education policies.
