Innovation-Driven Water Sustainability Conference Kicks Off: Winners Of Global Prize For Innovation In Desalination Announced And “MiyahThon” Launched

With the attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, and His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen AlFadley, the 3rd Innovation-Driven Water Sustainability Conference will commence tomorrow (Monday) in Jeddah. Organized by the Saudi Water Authority, the conference features over 480 experts and speakers, including leading scientists and innovators from 20 countries.

The opening ceremony celebrated the announcement of winners in the second edition of the “Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination”, recognizing groundbreaking projects and ideas that emerged from a competition of over 540 submissions. These included entries from prestigious institutions such as Oxford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), underscoring the award’s high scientific caliber and its significance in fostering innovation within the water sector.

The grand prize was awarded to Lee Nuang Sim from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore for the project “Unveiling the Power of Centrifugal Reverse Osmosis” and to Sue Mecham from NALA Membranes, USA, for the project “New Sulfonated Polysulfone Thin Film Composite Membranes for Desalination and Wastewater Reuse.”

On the sidelines of the conference, the “MiyahThon” water hackathon was inaugurated for the first time. Organized by the Saudi Water Innovation Center in partnership with public and private sectors, this initiative aims to foster creative competition and develop practical, innovative solutions to water-related challenges.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Eng. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkareem, President of the Saudi Water Authority, emphasized that the conference serves as a specialized scientific platform highlighting the latest developments and innovations in water resource management. H.E. noted that the event reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing scientific and research-driven innovation as a foundation for achieving water sustainability and reaffirming the Kingdom’s position as a global reference for innovative water management solutions and sustainable water security.

“Innovation is the key to redesigning water management systems to meet future needs,” H.E. stated.

H.E. Eng. Abdulkareem also highlighted that the conference adopts numerous initiatives each year to enhance sustainability and deliver innovative solutions in the water sector. H.E. Eng. Abdulkareem added, “Our goal is for this conference to become a global event that attracts experts and innovators from around the world. Each year, we introduce initiatives that contribute to developmental goals and water sustainability, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030. Under the guidance of our leadership, which places sustainability at the core of all developmental projects, HRH the Crown Prince’s initiative to establish the Global Water Organization to achieve global water security stands out as a pivotal move to promote sustainability, quality of life, and international collaboration in this field.”

During the ceremony, H.E. also announced a rebranding of the Global Prize, which will now be known as the “Global Prize for Innovation in Water” to reflect its expanded goals, a stronger focus on developing sustainable solutions, and greater engagement with young minds in innovation.

The conference, running until November 27, 2024, will feature discussions on over 180 research papers, as well as workshops and panel discussions. These sessions will bring together academics, experts, and innovators to tackle global water challenges and chart a sustainable future for the sector.