Dubai is now inviting applications for the fifth edition of the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award,” with a total prize pool of $1 million. This initiative is designed to support innovative technologies and solutions for the production, distribution, storage, desalination, and purification of water using clean and renewable energy sources. Ultimately, this award aims to bolster global sustainability efforts in addressing water scarcity issues.
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Foundation, announced the opening of registration during an official statement. He noted that since its inception, the UAE Water Foundation has provided clean water to nearly 15 million people across 37 countries through sustainable humanitarian and developmental projects. Moreover, the foundation continues to stimulate innovators and researchers worldwide through the “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award,” which addresses one of the most pressing humanitarian and developmental challenges: water scarcity.
Al Tayer emphasized the scale of the issue, citing UN reports that indicate roughly 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services, with nearly 10% of the world’s population living in countries facing high or critical water stress. He stated, “The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has become a leading global platform for innovation in water solutions, driving sustainable change by supporting practical solutions and advanced technologies that create a tangible impact across many communities worldwide.” He called on universities, research centers, companies, institutions, and innovators from around the globe to participate, urging collaborative efforts to provide clean water to underserved communities.
Mohammed Abdulkarim Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the UAE Water Foundation, further elaborated on the award’s objectives. He mentioned that the award encourages research institutions, companies, universities, and young innovators from diverse backgrounds to develop innovative solutions for water scarcity using renewable clean energy. This includes solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, osmosis, and geothermal energy. Over the past four editions, the award has received hundreds of submissions and recognized 43 innovators from 26 countries who contributed to developing pioneering and sustainable technologies for providing affordable clean water.
The “Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award” comprises four main categories: the Innovative Project Award, which includes small and large project categories; the Innovation in Research and Development Award, covering national and global institutions; the Individual Innovation Award, including exceptional researchers and youth categories; and the Innovative Solutions for Crises Award. Each category aims to inspire and foster creativity in tackling water-related challenges on a global scale.