In his speech during an event held by Suqia UAE at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s stand at COP28. Al Tayer said that the Award enhances the UAE’s efforts in global humanitarian work by encouraging and recognizing organisations, individuals, and innovators who develop practical and sustainable solutions for the challenges of water scarcity using renewable energy. This follows the UAE’s approach of actively contributing to providing solutions to the challenges facing the world and helping less developed societies to confront challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Al Tayer commended the level of interest and great turnout that the Award garnered, as well as the quality of innovations presented by companies, research centres, institutions, and innovators. The previous cycle received entries from 56 countries around the world. Over the past 3 cycles of the award, 31 winners from 22 countries were rewarded for their innovative projects in water desalination and purification using renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, osmotic power, and geothermal technologies.

The Award has four categories: the Innovative Projects Award, which includes the Large Projects Award and the Small Projects Award; the Innovative Research and Development Award, which includes the National Institutions Award and the International Institutions Award; the Innovative Individual Award, which includes the Distinguished Research Award and the Youth Award; and the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award.