76th Annual Gala Dinner
The Middle East Institute was honored to present His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Mubadala Investment Company, with its Distinguished Global Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership in promoting responsible investing and his commitment to sustainable development in the service of social good. The award ceremony was held on March 16, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C., and was followed by a fireside chat moderated by Mr. David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group.
About the Awards
The Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence, endowed by the former deputy prime minister of Lebanon, was created to honor inspirational, innovative Middle Eastern individuals who are making a difference in their communities and internationally. The Middle East Institute Visionary Award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding work in the region.
Past Award Recipients
2023
Distinguished Global Leadership Award
His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak
Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mubadala Investment Company
2022
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
General (ret.) John P. Abizaid
Former Commander of U.S. Central Command
Former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2021
Distinguished Global Leadership Award
H.E. Yasir Othman Al-Rumayyan
Chairman, Saudi Aramco
Governor, Public Investment Fund
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
LIFE
Lebanese Diaspora Philanthropic Organization
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Fawzia Koofi
Afghan Women's Rights Activist
2020
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Altibbi
Digital Health Platform
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Egyptian Food Bank
Humanitarian Organization
2019
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Nadine Labaki
Lebanese Actor and Director
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Othman & Leila Benjelloun
Co-chairs of the BMCE Bank Foundation
2018
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
The American University of Beirut (AUB)
Institution of higher learning
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Huda Alkhamis Kanoo
Philanthropist dedicated to arts, education, and women's empowerment
2017
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Sheikha Hussa Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah
Kuwaiti art collector and curator
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Fadi Ghandour
Social entrepreneur and philanthropist
2016
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Vera Baboun
Mayor of Bethlehem Municipality
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Syria Civil Defense
"The White Helmets"
2015
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Sheika Hoor Al-Qasimi
President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Mohamed A. El-Erian
Chief Economic Advisor, Allianz, and Chair, President's Global Development Council
2014
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Ayman Asfari
CEO of Petrofac and chairman of the Asfari Foundation
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Shafik Gabr
Founder of the Shafik Gabr Foundation
2013
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Zaha Hadid
Iraq-born architect
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Abdlatif Al-Hamad
Kuwaiti philanthropist
2012
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi
Palestinian legislator, activist and scholar
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel
President, Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd.
2011
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Amb. Lakhdar Brahimi
Fmr. under-secretary general of the League of Arab States
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Esraa Abdel Fattah
Egyptian human rights and democracy activist
2010
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Issam M. Fares
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon
2009
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
Palestinian doctor