Saudi Arabia to host the finals of the Global Water Innovation Award
In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading role in addressing global environmental challenges, the World Water Innovation Award its shortlist of nominees for its current cycle. With the official announcement of the winners scheduled for December 8th, 36 high-quality submissions have qualified from over 2,570 entries received from 119 countries worldwide, demonstrating the significant international momentum of this award.
Global context and Saudi leadership
This award comes at a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges related to water scarcity and climate change, making the search for sustainable solutions an urgent necessity, not a luxury. This initiative aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 , which places environmental sustainability and water security at the forefront of its priorities. The Kingdom’s hosting of this event underscores its position as a global hub for innovation in the water sector, as it seeks to unite international efforts to ensure a secure water future for generations to come, drawing on its extensive experience as one of the world’s largest producers of desalinated water.
6 paths to innovation and diverse solutions
The current edition is distinguished by the diversity of solutions offered, as the award covers 6 main tracks that form the backbone of modern water resources management, namely:
- Advanced desalination technologies.
- Highly efficient water treatment.
- Improving water quality.
- Water reuse and recycling.
- Water governance and sound policies.
- Smart technologies and artificial intelligence.
Among the qualified projects stand out are solutions based on artificial intelligence algorithms to improve network efficiency, and technologies to reduce water loss, which meet the needs of resource-scarce countries seeking economical and effective solutions.
International judging panel and strict standards
To ensure the highest levels of transparency and credibility, projects undergo rigorous evaluation by a prestigious international jury of 28 experts and judges from 12 leading water sector countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Spain, and the Netherlands, as well as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. This geographical and experiential diversity guarantees the selection of globally viable projects capable of making a real difference on the ground.
Expected impact and future of the sector
The significance of this award extends beyond mere financial and symbolic recognition; it also serves as a launchpad for future technologies. The winning projects are expected to contribute to improving the quality of life in developing communities and bolstering economies by reducing the costs of water production and treatment. The winners will be honored at a ceremony held as part of the fourth edition of the Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2025) in Jeddah, in the presence of leading scientists and decision-makers, highlighting the Kingdom's pivotal role in leading this vital global initiative.
