Takreem Foundation was established in 2009 by the Lebanese media executive and philanthropist Ricardo Karam as a nonprofit dedicated to recognizing and promoting excellence among Arabs worldwide. Ricardo Karam conceived the initiative to address pervasive negative stereotypes about the Arab world by spotlighting verifiable achievements by Arab individuals and institutions across fields including culture, education, science, environment, humanitarian work, social initiatives, and economics. The Foundation’s annual awards ceremonies, held in rotating host cities such as Beirut, Doha, Cairo, and Abu Dhabi, culminate in gala events that unite influential figures and promote cross-regional collaboration, with laureates selected through a rigorous arbitration process to highlight contributions uplifting communities and countering narratives of conflict or extremism. The Foundation has honored over 150 laureates since its founding.