UAE honors Global Water Innovators with $1 million prize

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, honored the winners of the fourth edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award in a ceremony held at Emirates Towers, WAM reported.

The event was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Twelve winners from eight countries were recognized for their innovations aimed at addressing global water scarcity. The total prize money awarded was $1 million.

The award, administered by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), operates under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. It covers four main categories: Innovative Projects, Innovative Research and Development, Innovative Individual, and Innovative Crisis Solutions.

In a statement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid emphasized the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian efforts and technological innovation.

“Humanity today faces numerous challenges, and the scarcity of clean water is among the most pressing,” he said. “We are committed to driving innovation to deliver sustainable solutions that advance the UAE’s vision of harnessing technology to serve humanity.”

He added: “We will continue to support every project, idea, or innovation that makes a real difference in people’s lives. Our message is humanitarian, our tools are knowledge and innovation, and our goal is to ensure the UAE’s support reaches those who need it most, wherever they are.”

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of Suqia UAE’s Board of Trustees, also spoke at the event. He thanked Sheikh Mohammed for supporting humanitarian causes and highlighted the urgency of addressing water shortages.

According to the United Nations, 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. UNICEF reports that over 1,000 children under age five die daily from diseases related to poor water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Al Tayer noted that Suqia UAE has implemented over 1,000 water projects in partnership with Emirates Red Crescent and others. These projects have helped about 15 million people across 37 countries.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award aims to foster solutions in desalination, purification, and water generation using clean energy. Since its launch, 31 winners from 22 countries were recognized across three editions. The fourth edition drew entries from 46 countries.

Winners – Innovative Projects (Large)

• First place: Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC (UAE) – For the LANDCO Tech project, converting organic waste and wastewater into clean water, energy, and fertilizers. Uses solar power, biogas, AI, and blockchain. Treats 100m³/day.
• Second place: SIPCO (Vietnam) – For CSPF ceramic filters removing bacteria and viruses, benefiting vulnerable schools and communities.
• Third place: Sotrad Water Srl (Belgium) – For the solar-powered Pump&Drink® Hydro1000 system serving 200,000+ people.

Winners – Innovative Projects (Small)

• First place: Kumulus SAS (France) – For a solar device producing 30 liters of drinking water per day from air.
• Second place: Jiangsu Fenghai and Hangzhou Sunup (China) – For a microgrid seawater treatment plant providing 100 tonnes of water/day to ZS Island.
• Third place: FountAir LTD (Hong Kong) – For AIR4WATER, a renewable-energy powered system supplying 150 liters/day.

Winners – Innovative R&D (International Institutions)

• First place: STEM SAS (France) – For AQUAHIVE, an AI-enhanced, energy-efficient membrane distillation technology using solar or waste heat.
• Second place: ENOWA – NEOM (Saudi Arabia) – For a solar-powered plant extracting minerals and desalinated water, operating at 1,200m³/day.

Winners – Innovative R&D (National Institutions)

• First place: Khalifa University (UAE) – For a solar desalination system that mimics mangrove evaporation and produces water without brine discharge.

Winner – Innovative Crisis Solutions

• First place: SkyJuice Foundation Inc (Australia) – For the SkyHydrant, a portable ultrafiltration system producing 5,000+ liters/day, deployed in 74 countries.

Winners – Innovative Individual Awards

• Distinguished Research Award: Professor Guihua Yu (United States) – For over 20 patented innovations in solar desalination and water harvesting. He leads a research center at the University of Texas.
• Youth Award: Zhenyuan Xu (China) – For a high-efficiency passive solar distillation system producing 1.5 gallons/hour/m². The system is cost-effective and field-tested.

Al Tayer emphasized that this legacy continues under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“This Award has become a global platform, encouraging innovation in water solutions and providing real impact for vulnerable communities,” Al Tayer said.