Aryana Sayeed is the first Afghan artist to receive the honor.

The award was presented in recognition of the song We Believe in Hope, performed by Sayeed and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, with music by five-time Emmy winner Jeff Beal and lyrics by Joan Beal. The announcement coincided with the first official observance of the United Nations International Day of Hope, established by U.N. General Assembly resolution earlier this year.

Inspired by the story of Afghanistan’s first all-female robotics team, the song has been praised for its message of hope, unity, and women’s empowerment. It also serves as the theme for Rule Breakers, a film by Angel Studios.

“I’m incredibly honored that We Believe in Hope has won the 2025 High Note Global Prize,” Sayeed said in a video message. “As an Afghan woman, I accept this on behalf of every girl denied an education and every woman whose voice has been silenced.”

Sayeed described music as a form of resistance and said it continues to be a “source of pain, hope, and faith” for millions of Afghan women and girls. “Today, our voices are being heard around the world,” she said. “And that proves our resistance can make the impossible possible.”

She added, “Until justice is served, Afghan women will not be silent.”

David Clark, founder of the High Note Global Initiative, called We Believe in Hope “a powerful anthem and a shining example of how music can unify, speak truth to power, and give voice to the voiceless.”



The High Note Global Prize has previously honored artists such as John Legend and Cyndi Lauper. Sayeed, widely regarded as one of Afghanistan’s most influential cultural figures, has long used her platform to champion gender equality — particularly under the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights.