On April 2005, the late UAE President, Sheikh Zayed, was awarded the prize (posthumously) among seven leaders in the field of the environment as Champions of the Earth for "setting an example for the world to follow.

H.H Sheikh Khlifa receives the award on his behalf for the West Asia region for his lifetime work to protect his country's environment, and his widely acclaimed contributions to agriculture, aforestation and species protection. 

One of Sheikh Zayed's most enduring achievements is the greening of the region's deserts. Under his leadership, 100 million trees were planted, hunting was outlawed more than a quarter of a century ago, and a sanctuary was established on the island of Sir Bani Yas to safeguard such endangered species as the Arabian Oryx and the sand gazelle. The selection of Sheikh Zayed comes ahead of the United Nations International Year of Deserts and Desertification in 2006.