UAE Champions Global Water Innovation Through Maktoum Water Award
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to demonstrate its commitment to solving global challenges by fostering innovation, scientific research, and the use of advanced technologies. At the heart of this vision lies the belief of the country’s wise leadership that empowering creative minds is key to addressing critical humanitarian issues. Among these challenges, water scarcity remains one of the most pressing concerns of the 21st century.
One of the UAE’s most impactful initiatives in this domain is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, a prestigious international award that recognizes and supports the development of sustainable, innovative technologies for water production, desalination, and purification. These technologies are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, osmosis, and geothermal energy. The award is managed by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), operating under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
A Commitment to Global Water Security
The award aligns with the humanitarian and development-oriented values of the UAE. “Under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE places great importance on advancing efforts to develop innovative solutions that enhance global water security,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia UAE. He emphasized that the award reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities worldwide and empowering innovators to develop effective, sustainable responses to water scarcity.
USD 1 Million in Prizes Across Four Categories
The award, which totals USD 1 million in prize money, is structured into four major categories:
- Innovative Projects Award – Includes sub-categories for Large and Small Projects.
- Innovative Research and Development Award – Divided into National Institutions and International Institutions.
- Innovative Individual Award – Comprising Distinguished Research and Youth sub-categories.
- Innovative Crisis Solutions Award – Recognizes breakthroughs specifically tailored for emergency and crisis situations.
Global Reach and Recognition
Since its inception, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has inspired countless academic institutions, research centers, and individual innovators across the globe. The fourth cycle alone saw applications from 46 countries, underscoring the award’s growing global stature and its role as a beacon for water-related innovation.
Over its four cycles, the award has recognized 43 winners from 26 countries, helping to improve the lives of thousands of people by supporting breakthrough technologies that offer practical, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions.
Highlights from the Fourth Cycle (2025)
In its most recent edition, 12 winners from eight countries were honored:
- Innovative Projects – Large Projects Category: Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC (UAE)
- Innovative Projects – Small Projects Category: Kumulus SAS (France)
- Innovative R&D – International Institutions: STEM SAS (France)
- Innovative R&D – National Institutions: Khalifa University (UAE)
- Innovative Crisis Solutions: SkyJuice Foundation Inc (Australia)
- Innovative Individual – Distinguished Research: Professor Guihua Yu (USA)
- Innovative Individual – Youth: Zhenyuan Xu (China)
Previous Cycles and Impact
- 2023 (Third Cycle): The award recognized 11 winners from eight countries. Highlights included Agua Para el Pueblo (Honduras) and the South Asian Forum for Environment (India) in the Large Projects category. The University of Illinois (USA) and Safe Water & AIDS Project (Kenya) were recognized in the Small Projects category. The University of Malaya and Sunway University (Malaysia) earned honors in International R&D, while Professor Peng Wang (Hong Kong) and Mascara NT (France) were also awarded.
- 2020 (Second Cycle): 10 winners from eight countries were selected. Khalifa University (UAE) took first place in the National R&D category, and Liquinex Group PTE Ltd (Singapore) won the International R&D category for solar-powered water solutions. Jan Radel (Germany) and Dr Muhammed Wakil Shazad (Pakistan) were jointly recognized in the Youth sub-category of the Individual Award.
- 2017 (First Cycle): 10 winners from eight countries were honored for projects that demonstrated real-world applicability in desalination and water purification. These projects exemplified the educational and humanitarian principles on which the award was founded.
A Legacy of Innovation and Humanitarianism
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award not only reflects the UAE’s strategic commitment to sustainability but also sets a global example in harnessing innovation to address pressing human needs. By promoting renewable energy-powered solutions to water scarcity, the award continues to build a legacy of humanitarian aid, scientific advancement, and global cooperation.
As the award enters future cycles, it is expected to attract even more innovators and changemakers, further reinforcing the UAE’s pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and equitable global water future.
