Dr. Abdulmalik bin Abdulrahman Al-Sheikh, Secretary General of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water and Supervisor of the Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research at King Saud University, announced remarkable statistics reflecting the prize's growing international standing. He revealed that 275 scientists and researchers from 69 countries around the world have applied for the current cycle of the prize, competing for its five awards with a total value of 3 million Saudi riyals.
International standing and continuous development
Al-Sheikh emphasized that these figures are not mere statistics, but rather a true indicator of the remarkable progress achieved by the award and the prestigious reputation it has earned in international scientific circles. The award has become one of the most prominent global platforms in its field, seeking to recognize the efforts of scientists and innovators who have made outstanding contributions to the field of water, and to honor their research that offers innovative scientific solutions to address the challenges of water scarcity, provide potable water, and ensure its sustainability, especially in arid regions suffering from resource scarcity.
The Kingdom's humanitarian message to the world
The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water holds strategic importance that transcends its status as a scientific competition; it represents one of the noble messages of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to all of humanity. Established from a profound understanding of the importance of water security as a cornerstone of human stability, the prize aims directly to encourage scientific innovation to provide water for current and future generations. It plays a pivotal role in mitigating the risks of international water-related conflicts by supporting technologies that secure water resources at the lowest possible cost and in environmentally friendly ways.
Historical background and pioneering role
Since its inception in 2002, and with its secretariat located at the Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research at King Saud University, the award has consistently encouraged scientific research in five main categories: the Innovation Award, and specialized awards in surface water, groundwater, alternative water resources, and water resources management. This diversity of categories reflects the award's comprehensive vision of addressing all aspects of the global water crisis.
Call for nominations for the thirteenth session
In closing, the Secretary-General of the Prize extended an open invitation to scientists, researchers, and scientific institutions at the local, regional, and international levels to participate in the thirteenth cycle of the Prize. He urged those interested to submit their original scientific research to the General Secretariat via the Prize's official website, noting that the nomination period will remain open until the end of December 2027, allowing ample time for the preparation of in-depth studies befitting the Prize's stature and lofty objectives.
