Deputy Ruler of Dubai honours winners of global water award.
DUBAI // The winners of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award were honoured on Thursday by the Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Ten winners from eight countries were given the US$1 million (Dh3.67m) award by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, out of 138 applications from 43 countries.
The award, which has three categories, was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage research centres and individuals to find solutions for clean-water scarcity.
Khalifa University and the Masdar Institute at Khalifa University shared first place in innovative research and development category.
The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, in cooperation with the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation, and Elemental Water Makers, a desalination company in the Netherlands, won the award in international institutions category.
Dr Marta Vivar Garcia, a researcher from Spain, won the Innovative Youth Award.
"The UAE has become a centre for helping the needy wherever they are, in adherence with the teachings of Islam, Arab traditions and the principles instilled in the hearts of Emiratis by the Founding Fathers," said Saeed Al Tayer, chairman of the foundation.
The UN agnecy has warned that, by 2040, 600 million children will live in areas with severely limited clean-water resources.
"Foundation’s projects provided potable clean water to over 8 million people in 19 countries worldwide," Mr Al Tayer said.