The International Peace Alliance | Alliance Internationale de la Paix Awards Committee is honoured to announce His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, as the recipient of the 2024 IPA | AIP Humanitarian Leadership Award to be formally presented to His Highness at a special Awards Ceremony & Gala at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Canada, on September 28, 2024. This award is conferred on His Highness by the IPA | AIP in recognition of his exceptional efforts and contributions to human development and improving the social condition of societies globally, over the last six decades.

In the context of his hereditary responsibilities, His Highness has been deeply engaged with the development of countries around the world for more than 60 years through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The AKDN is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Its multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. Together, they work towards a common goal – to build institutions and programmes that can respond to the challenges of social, economic and cultural change on an on-going basis.

AKDN’s social development agencies include the Aga Khan Health Services, Aga Khan Schools, the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, the Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat as well as two universities, the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture co-ordinates AKDN’s cultural activities, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Historic Cities Programme, Aga Khan Music Programme and Awards, Aga Khan Museum, and Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (at Harvard and MIT). The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) is a development agency dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world, often in countries that lack sufficient foreign direct investment. AKFED reinvests profits in further development initiatives.

The IPA | AIP Humanitarian Leadership Award is bestowed on His Highness in recognition of his dedication to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender, and for leading a global development organization working to address the root causes of poverty. For more than 60 years, His Highness has helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally-driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. Through his unwavering dedication to ameliorating the lives of those in need, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan has become a pivotal leader in social and economic transformation. His work is a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable, empowering them – to not only survive, but thrive. The IPA | AIP Humanitarian Leadership Award is a testament to His Highness’ impactful efforts and the positive change he drives, and celebrates his humanitarian spirit and the tangible benefits his work brings to people worldwide.