The second 2026 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation known as Suqia UAE examined the latest developments in the fifth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award which offers USD 1 million in total prizes according to WAM. Chaired by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer the gathering also assessed outcomes from humanitarian projects in Tanzania where a field visit confirmed positive impacts on local communities. The award has drawn increasing participation from universities research centres companies and innovators worldwide with applications now accepted until 30 September 2026.
Suqia UAE data places the total number of sustainable water projects implemented since its founding in 2015 at more than 1,000 across 37 countries reaching approximately 15 million beneficiaries. In 2025 the foundation completed 54 projects in Tanzania in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent and the UAE Embassy there helping more than 524,000 people. These efforts operate under directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to supply clean drinking water through sustainable means.
A board statement highlighted that UN reports indicate 2.2 billion people globally still lack safely managed drinking water services while 2.4 billion reside in water-stressed countries. Suqia UAE positions its work as supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals particularly the sixth goal on access to water and sanitation for all. The foundation seeks to address both immediate needs and long-term solutions through innovation in renewable energy technologies.
Suqia UAE maintains an active collaboration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority on research and development for desalination and purification using renewable energy. One current project involves a portable photovoltaic reverse osmosis desalination unit capable of producing 7.7 cubic meters per day to serve 1,540 people. Another photovoltaic reverse osmosis station at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park generates 50 cubic meters daily sufficient for around 10,000 people while handling highly saline water with TDS levels of 31,370 ppm.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award supervised by Suqia UAE encourages submissions in four main categories including innovative projects research and development individual innovations and crisis solutions. Previous cycles have honoured 43 winners from 26 countries whose work has improved living conditions in multiple communities. Organisers have launched an international campaign targeting universities and companies to boost participation in the current edition.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer stated during the board session that the foundation remains committed to consolidating efforts aimed at changing communities for the better and ensuring the foundations of a dignified life for their members by encouraging the use of innovation and the latest technologies to develop sustainable solutions to address the global water crisis alongside implementing transformative projects around the world to provide clean and safe water to those most in need. Mohammed Al Shamsi acting executive director of Suqia UAE noted that the award supports the UAE’s vision to become a knowledge-based economy focused on technology research and innovation. The foundation continues to identify how sustainable technologies can form part of broader answers to water scarcity beyond direct provision of supplies.
