Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal-based social enterprise Build Up Nepal has been awarded the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize—one of the United Arab Emirates’ most prestigious international honors for sustainability.
Build Up Nepal was honored in the Climate Action category. Bjorn Soderberg, managing director of Build Up Nepal, received the award.
According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi, the award was presented by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, at a special ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) on Tuesday.
Build Up Nepal was recognized for its innovative and locally driven approach to sustainable construction through the production of low-carbon, earthquake-resilient eco-bricks. The organization so far has produced 3.3 million eco-bricks, helped construct over 12,000 resilient homes, created 2,000 green jobs, and avoided an estimated 110,000 tons of carbon emissions, according to the statement. The technology has significantly reduced construction costs while improving safety in earthquake-prone regions such as Jajarkot and Rukum West.
Established in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize honors solutions in health, food, energy, water, climate action, and education, and carries forward the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.
Nepal’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tej Bahadur Chhetri, attended the award ceremony.
The award was received on behalf of the organization by Bjorn Soderberg, Managing Director of Build Up Nepal, highlighting Nepal’s growing role in global sustainability and climate action initiatives.
