Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award: Driving Innovation and Sustainability in Water Solutions

Dubai, The Gulf Observer: 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 seen significant advancements. These include a variety of innovative projects, a growing number of beneficiaries, an increase in participating countries, and an expanded range of award categories.

With a total prize fund of US$1 million, this biennial award encourages the development of innovative solutions to address global water scarcity. Supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), the award has attracted the attention of institutions, research centers, and innovators worldwide, transforming into a global platform for creating practical and sustainable water solutions using renewable energy.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Suqia UAE, stated, “Thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has played a significant role in supporting the UAE’s efforts to contribute effectively to solving global challenges. The award aids less developed communities in combating water-related issues and achieving sustainable development. Beyond the award, Suqia UAE, under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, works to alleviate the suffering of less fortunate communities through developmental and humanitarian projects that provide clean water. Since its establishment in 2015, Suqia UAE’s projects have benefitted 14.9 million people worldwide.”

The 4th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has received substantial interest from companies, research centers, organizations, and innovators. Over the past three cycles, 31 winners from 22 countries have been honored for their innovative water desalination and purification projects using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, ocean, gradient salinity, and geothermal technologies.

The third cycle recognized 11 winners from 8 countries, with participation from 56 countries. The second cycle awarded 10 winners from 8 countries, with entries from 39 countries, and the first cycle honored 10 winners from 8 countries, with participation from 43 countries.

In 2020, Suqia UAE expanded the award categories to include new technologies for producing, distributing, storing, monitoring, desalinating, and purifying water using renewable energy. This effort aimed to encourage more research centers and individuals to participate and increase the number of beneficiaries of sustainable and innovative water solutions globally. A new category, the ‘Innovative Crisis Solutions Award,’ was added to the existing three categories.

Currently, the award comprises four main categories:

1. Innovative Projects Award:
   • Small Projects Award: US$240,000 distributed among the top three winners.
   • Large Projects Award: US$300,000 distributed among the top three winners.
2. Innovative Research and Development Award:
   • National Institutions Award: US$200,000 distributed among the top three winners.
   • International Institutions Award: US$200,000 distributed among the top three winners.
3. Innovative Individual Award:
   • Youth Award: US$20,000 for one winner.
   • Distinguished Researcher Award: US$20,000 for one winner.
4. Innovative Crisis Solutions Award:
   • US$20,000 for one winner.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award continues to inspire and support the development of sustainable water solutions, contributing significantly to the global effort to combat water scarcity and improve living conditions in underprivileged communities.