Winners of the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award highlighted that the wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, offers a glimmer of hope to the world in finding sustainable solutions to the global water crisis. They noted that the award, launched by His Highness and overseen by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), plays a vital role in providing clean water to those in need by empowering and disseminating innovations that desalinate and purify water using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, osmosis and geothermal.
Across its four cycles, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has honoured 43 winners from 26 countries. The award offers total prizes worth USD 1 million and comprises four main categories: the Innovative Projects Award, the Innovative Research and Development Award, the Innovative Individual Award and the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award. The winners emphasised that the award enables them to expand the application of their innovations to new regions and countries and provides greater opportunities to create tangible positive impact.
Commenting on winning the Innovative Research and Development Award – National Institutions. Dr TieJun Zhang, professor of mechanical engineering and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Khalifa University, UAE, said: “This award is truly significant and plays a critical role in supporting efforts across this region. By investing in such a vital field, we can drive meaningful change. The UAE is uniquely positioned to lead and support global solutions.”
Commented on winning first place in Innovative Projects Award – Large Projects, Andre Holzer, CEO and founder of Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC., UAE, said: “We believe that the platform provided by this award plays a vital role in raising awareness that innovative technologies already exist to improve lives, especially in terms of environmental impact. I’m deeply grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his commitment to improving life on this planet for us, and for our children and grandchildren. Our team continues to work on advancing this technology, making it more affordable and scalable so it can be implemented wherever it’s most needed around the world.”
Iheb Triki, co-founder and CEO of Kumulus SAS from France, first place winner in the Innovative Projects Award – Small Projects, said: “The award is one of the most competitive ones when it comes to access to drinking water. Being among the winners shows we can deliver the right technology to those who need it and help address water scarcity. I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum not only for the award but for his leadership in prioritising sustainability and global water access.”
Wang Hua, Deputy General Manager of Hangzhou Sunup Environmental Technology Co Ltd, from China, commented on winning second place in the Innovative Projects Award – Small Projects, in partnership with Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co Ltd. “Our project aligns perfectly with the award’s mission, combining renewable energy, distillation and sustainable water management. Through this platform, we hope to gain international recognition, expand our technology’s reach, enhance visibility, foster collaboration and inspire continued innovation within our team,” he said.
Frederic Walland, CEO of STEM SAS, said: “Receiving this award made our entire team proud and renewed our motivation to reach new milestones. I sincerely thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for championing innovation and sustainability. Leadership like his is vital to creating a better future.” STEM SAS from France secured first place in the Innovative Research and Development Award – International Institutions category.
Dr Noura Chehab, Head of the Research & Innovation Team at the NEOM Water Innovation Center, highlighted the receiving of Energy and Water Company (ENOWA) – NEOM from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia second place in the Innovative Research and Development Award – International Institutions, “By investing in advanced water technologies and fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector and innovators, we can find effective, sustainable solutions for billions affected.”
Rhett Butler, Founder and CEO of SkyJuice Foundation Inc from Australia, said on winning first place in the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award: “This award is a powerful endorsement of our mission to deliver low-cost, high-impact water solutions to those who need them most. It affirms our commitment to practical, scalable technologies that help build resilience and restore dignity in crisis situations.”
Professor Guihua Yu from the USA, winner of the Innovative Individual Award – Distinguished Research Award, said: “I appreciate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for establishing this visionary award. It is a noble initiative that raises global awareness about the importance of water solutions and helps make this vital resource accessible to communities around the world.”
Zhenyuan Xu from China, winner of the Innovative Individual Award – Youth Award, said: “Our vision of research suits this award very well, I should take this chance to make real-world impact. This award affirms the importance of renewable energy solutions. It motivates me to move beyond academic research and focus on real-world applications that benefit communities and support a more sustainable future for all.”
Hoang Anh Dung, Chairman and CEO of SIPCO in Vietnam, said on winning second place in the Innovative Projects Award – Large Projects: “Receiving this award has been a powerful source of encouragement, boosting my confidence to continue my research and develop new innovations and technologies that can help tackle water scarcity.”
Raoul Antoine, General Manager of Sotrad Water, commented on winning the third place of the Innovative Projects Award – Large Projects: “This award acknowledges 15 years of hard work and supports our vision to expand technology transfer. It brings global innovations under one roof, which is a true reflection of Dubai’s spirit. It inspires hope for a future free from water scarcity.”
Jannick Jacques Simeray, founder, inventor and CEO at FountAir, third place winner of the Innovative Projects Award – Small Projects, said: “The project needs appropriation, certification, fame, and funding. The award; we expect can bring all this. The award will facilitate investment, partnership, and credibility. To accelerate solutions, economic incentives must be aligned with technological innovation. This award is a powerful example, as it brings technology and economy together to drive impact.”
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