Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Recognises Winners Of Global Water Award For Innovative Solutions To Water Scarcity

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, recently honoured the winners of the fourth edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The event took place at Emirates Towers in Dubai, with H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, in attendance. This award is managed by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

The award ceremony recognised 12 winners from eight countries, distributing a total prize money of $1 million. The award categories include Innovative Projects, Innovative Research and Development, Innovative Individual, and Innovative Crisis Solutions. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the UAE's commitment to humanitarian efforts and innovation to enhance global quality of life. He stated that clean water scarcity is a critical challenge that requires sustainable solutions through technology.

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Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the importance of supporting projects that make a significant impact on people's lives. "Our message is humanitarian," he said, "our tools are knowledge and innovation." Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of Suqia UAE's Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude for Sheikh Mohammed's support for humanitarian initiatives. He noted that the award reflects a vision for practical solutions addressing global needs.

Al Tayer pointed out that 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safe drinking water according to United Nations reports. UNICEF also reports over 1,000 children under five die daily due to inadequate water and sanitation. Many communities face severe clean water shortages worldwide.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Suqia UAE has completed over 1,000 sustainable water projects with partners like Emirates Red Crescent. These efforts have positively impacted around 15 million people across 37 countries. The award serves as a platform reinforcing UAE's role in humanitarian work inspired by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's values.

This legacy continues under President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's leadership. They remain dedicated to supporting hope-inspiring initiatives in the Arab world.

Award Winners and Their Innovations

The "Innovative Projects Award – Large Projects" first place went to Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC from the UAE for its LANDCO Tech project. This initiative converts organic waste into renewable energy and clean water using AI and blockchain technologies powered by solar energy.

SIPCO from Vietnam secured second place with its project providing safe drinking water using ceramic impregnated nano-silver pot filters. Third place was awarded to Sotrad Water Srl from Belgium for its Pump&Drink® - Hydro1000 solution serving over 200,000 people sustainably.

The "Innovative Projects Award – Small Projects" first place was won by Kumulus SAS from France for its 'Kumulus Water – Drinking Water From Air' project producing 30 litres daily using solar power.

Research and Development Recognition

STEM SAS from France received first place in the "Innovative Research and Development Award – International Institutions" category for its AQUAHIVE system using solar or geothermal energy for efficient distillation.

Khalifa University from the UAE earned first place in the "Innovative Research and Development Award – National Institutions" category with its Biomimetic Freshwater Generator replicating mangrove trees' natural evaporation process without brine discharge.

Crisis Solutions and Individual Achievements

The "Innovative Crisis Solutions Award" was awarded to SkyJuice Foundation Inc from Australia for its SkyHydrant Emergency Safe Water Solution producing over 5,000 litres daily during crises.

Professor Guihua Yu from the United States won first place in the "Innovative Individual Award – Distinguished Research Award" category for his solar-powered purification technologies holding over 20 patents.

Zhenyuan Xu from China received first place in the "Innovative Individual Award – Youth Award" category for his Passive Solar Distillation system offering high efficiency at low cost supporting sustainable development goals through education.

With inputs from WAM