Sheikh Mohammed's Global Water Award Drives Solutions For Water Crisis

Since its inception by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has evolved significantly. The award has seen an increase in innovative projects, beneficiaries, participating countries, and award categories.

With total prizes amounting to US$1 million, this biennial award aims to encourage the development of innovative solutions to address global water scarcity. Supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), the award has garnered attention from institutions, research centres, and innovators worldwide.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Suqia UAE, highlighted the award's role in supporting the UAE’s efforts to contribute effectively to solving global challenges. He noted that Suqia UAE works under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to reduce suffering in less fortunate communities by providing clean water through developmental and humanitarian projects.

Since its establishment in 2015, Suqia UAE's projects have benefitted 14.9 million people globally. The award has turned into a global platform for developing practical and sustainable solutions to the water crisis using renewable energy.

The 4th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has attracted significant attention from companies, research centres, organisations, and innovators. Over the past three cycles, 31 winners from 22 countries were recognised for their innovative projects in water desalination and purification using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, ocean, gradient salinity, and geothermal technologies.

In the third cycle alone, 11 winners from eight countries were honoured out of participations from 56 countries. The second cycle awarded 10 winners from eight countries with entries from 39 countries. Similarly, the first cycle honoured 10 winners from eight countries with participations from 43 countries.

Expanded Award Categories

In 2020, Suqia UAE expanded the range of the third cycle to include new technologies dedicated to producing, distributing, storing, monitoring, desalinating, and purifying water using renewable energy. This expansion aimed to encourage more research centres and individuals to participate and increase the number of beneficiaries.

The award now comprises four main categories:

This comprehensive approach aims to tackle water scarcity by encouraging sustainable and innovative solutions globally. The award continues to inspire advancements in water technology and supports communities in need.

With inputs from WAM