Prince Talal International Prize Allocates $1 Million To Support Life Below Water Projects In 2024 Edition

The 26th meeting of the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development Committee took place at the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) headquarters in Riyadh. Chaired by Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, the committee revealed the winners of the 2024 Prince Talal Prize. This year, the focus was on Sustainable Development Goal 14: "Life Below Water." Out of 62 nominated projects, 29 advanced to final evaluation, with four emerging as winners.

The prize, valued at $1 million, is awarded annually by AGFUND to development initiatives with significant local, regional, or international impact. The 2024 winning projects include "Tide Turner Plastic Challenge" by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which received $400,000 for its efforts in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, and Madagascar. This project won in the First Category for UN and international organisations.

In the Second Category for national NGOs, Chaint Afrique Academy from Ghana won $300,000 for "NetCYCLE AFRICA: Closing the Loop on Waste Fishnets in Africa." The Third Category award went to Nigeria's eTrash2Cash (eT2C) for "Zero-Plastic Oceans (ZPO)," receiving $200,000. This category recognises government entities and social enterprises.

For individual contributions in the Fourth Category, Abdelilah Hammada from Morocco was awarded $100,000 for "ALG UNO: Transforming Marine Algae into Sustainable Biostimulants and Biofertilizers." These awards highlight innovative solutions addressing environmental challenges.

The committee also announced that the 2025 edition will focus on Sustainable Development Goal 7: "Affordable and Clean Energy." This goal aims to ensure access to sustainable energy for all. The Prize Committee includes notable members like Queen Sofia of Spain and Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus.

Other distinguished members are Mercedes Menafra from Uruguay and Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali, former President of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Dr. Yousef Sayed Abdullah also serves as a member. Their collective expertise guides the prize's mission to support impactful development projects worldwide.

The Prince Talal Prize continues to recognise outstanding efforts in sustainable development. By focusing on critical global issues each year, it encourages innovative solutions that make a tangible difference across various communities.

With inputs from SPA