Latest news with #TheMohamedbinZayedWaterInitiative
Al Etihad
23-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE search on for innovative solutions to global water crisis: Dh8 - million Al Miyah Challenge explained
24 Apr 2025 00:57 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)The search is on for innovative solutions that can help address one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges, water scarcity. Through the recently launched Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to supporting the development of technologies that can tackle the global crisis. In a statement to Aletihad , Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, elaborated on the challenge that offers a significant prize pool of Dh8 million. Launched by The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, the competition targets cutting-edge advancements in sustainable irrigation, water-efficient farming practices, and climate-adapted agricultural technologies suitable for arid regions like the UAE. The country, Al Ateeqi said, is well positioned as a test bed for what could be groundbreaking technologies for water security. 'Water scarcity is not a new challenge for the UAE. For centuries, our ancestors have relied on innovation and cooperation to not just survive, but to thrive, in one of the world's most difficult climates,' said Al Ateeqi. 'With the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, we aim to reiterate the UAE's commitment to addressing global water scarcity by supporting the development and application of breakthrough technologies.' Practical, Scalable Solutions Technology innovation is pivotal to challenge, Al Ateeqi said. 'We are seeking practical, scalable, and deployable solutions that not only meet the UAE's unique climate needs but can also benefit other water-scarce countries facing similar challenges.' The competition is open to both local and international participants, and entries can be submitted for a number of categories: • Alternative water sources for agriculture • Technologies for reducing water use in open-field and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) • Low-cost, energy-efficient water treatment methods • Soil and crop technologies that reduce water uptake • Circular solutions integrating multiple components Winners will not only receive financial support – Dh3.7 million for the top team – but also the opportunity to pilot their innovations within the UAE, providing a vital real-world testing ground. Registrations for the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture are now open, and teams are invited to submit their applications online before 30th June 2025 at Start of a Larger Initiative The programme is being rolled out in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), ASPIRE – the innovation arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council – and Silal Food and Technology. 'In the spirit of collaboration, we're working with leading institutions across sectors to unlock practical and scalable water solutions,' said Al Ateeqi. 'The scalability of the technologies is a key pillar of the Challenge. We are not just looking for great ideas – we are looking for implementable solutions that can go global.' The Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture marks the beginning of a larger initiative. Future challenges will continue to focus on water-related innovations that offer benefits across other sectors impacted by climate change. 'Accelerating innovation in water – leveraging the UAE's infrastructure, expertise and resources – remains at the forefront of our national agenda,' Al Ateeqi said. 'It's essential to our vision of a world in which water is accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all.' With water scarcity high on the global agenda, this UAE-led initiative shines a spotlight on the power of technology, collaboration, and visionary leadership to build a water-secure future.
Al Etihad
14-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative launches Al Miyah Challenge to accelerate innovative water solutions
14 Apr 2025 13:04 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has launched the Al Miyah Challenge to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative water Miyah Challenge for Agriculture is the first in a series of competitions to be launched as part of the Initiative's Al Miyah Challenge its first edition, the challenge aims to accelerate innovation in developing technological solutions that can reduce water consumption in agriculture while maintaining and improving crop Dh8 million competition is open to local and international participants and will require aspiring teams to test and demonstrate their technology's applicability in the UAE in December 2026, with the potential for deployment in other locations with similar weather and climate Miyah Challenge programme will include a series of prize competitions intended to identify innovative water solutions with practical applications in a range of programme aims to source and support practical solutions that can be implemented in the UAE and have the potential to be scaled-up and deployed in other water-scarce the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has joined forces with three sector-leading institutions, including the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), ASPIRE, the innovation acceleration arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and Silal Food and Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, Ayesha Al Ateeqi, commented, "The launch of the first Al Miyah Challenge is consistent with the ambition of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to accelerate innovation with tangible programmes that support practical water technologies and encourage technical creativity. Water use in agriculture accounts for nearly 70% of all water used globally and presents a particular issue for arid and water-scarce regions."She added that the challenge aims to identify and pilot solutions that can increase agricultural productivity while reducing the intensity of water resources and that can ideally be deployed in other water-scarce countries following successful application in the UAE."Scalability and deployment of technologies is a key aim of the initiative in its mission to help create a world in which water is more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all," Al Ateeqi Director-General for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs at ADAFSA, Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, said, "By leveraging our expertise in sustainable farming, our teams will provide strategic oversight and technical expertise to ensure winning solutions align with Abu Dhabi and the UAE's long-term food security and resource conservation goals."This initiative, she said, reflects the UAE leadership's vision for a future where cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices converge to optimise water use, boost agricultural productivity, and safeguard natural resources for generations to added, "Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate the adoption of water-efficient technologies by bridging the gap between research and real-world application. By piloting and scaling these solutions, we will demonstrate their viability in the UAE's unique agricultural landscape while creating a blueprint for other water-scarce nations."CEO of ASPIRE, Stephane Timpano, said, "Innovation is key to sustainable agriculture. Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture aims to push the boundaries of what's possible by ensuring the latest technology and research can be applied in the real world. ASPIRE is proud to collaborate with the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative on this important mission. Partnerships such as this are instrumental in transforming innovation into tangible impact for the UAE and beyond."CEO of Silal, Salmeen Al Ameri, said that water scarcity is a critical challenge for agriculture in the UAE, and tackling it requires innovation and the time of registration, eligible teams must have solutions with a proven feasibility ready to be piloted in the UAE during the Challenge period and subsequently deployed to the relevant sector within the the Dh8 million total prize purse, Dh3.7 million will be awarded to the winning team, along with the opportunity to further test and demonstrate the technology in the UAE. The remaining prize purse will be distributed amongst teams will undergo a process of evaluation and selection to identify the most innovative, impactful, and practically deployable solutions. Teams will contribute to this process through live pitches and by piloting their solution in the UAE to demonstrate its potential real-world impact. Registrations for the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture are now open, and teams are invited to submit their applications online before June 30, 2025 at
Emirates 24/7
11-02-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, World Bank sign MoU on driving innovation to address global water scarcity
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate on efforts to accelerate innovation and investment to address global water scarcity, and strengthen water security in communities around the world. The MoU was co-signed by Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the World Bank, during the World Governments Summit 2025. This partnership aims to address critical water security challenges and foster innovative solutions to ensure sustainable water management. It explores potential areas of collaboration in several key areas including accelerating innovation related to water security; strengthening water sustainability and efficiency; exploring new mechanisms for water financing and funding; and deepening engagement between the public sector, private sector, and international organizations to help guide and support the incubation, testing and scaling up of innovative solutions to water security challenges. 'The establishment of this MoU is consistent with the goal of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to accelerate the development of new solutions to water scarcity and to boost international cooperation to address this growing threat to global security and prosperity.' Said Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, 'by teaming up with the World Bank, our collective goal is to pursue tangible opportunities to drive innovation and investment aimed at addressing the challenge of water scarcity for the benefit of current and future generations.' 'This partnership aims to address critical water security challenges and foster innovative solutions to ensure sustainable water management.' Said Ousmane Dione, the World Bank Middle East and North Africa Vice President. 'Jointly we will be promoting sustainable water management practices in water stressed regions around the world. Our collaboration will focus on accelerating innovations to support critical areas like irrigation, water re-use, and desalination, aiming to make every drop of water count.' The agreement signed today formalises the shared desire of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank to work together on projects and initiatives aimed at boosting innovation, investment and international cooperation to address the threat of water scarcity and to make a meaningful contribution to global water security and sustainability efforts. It also aims to create a tangible platform for cooperation and collaboration on water-related initiatives with stakeholders from different regions and sectors. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and World Bank Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Focused on Driving Innovation and Investment to Address Global Water Scarcity
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to collaborate on efforts to accelerate innovation and investment to address global water scarcity, and strengthen water security in communities around the world. The MoU was co-signed by Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the World Bank, during the World Governments Summit 2025. This partnership aims to address critical water security challenges and foster innovative solutions to ensure sustainable water management. It explores potential areas of collaboration in several key areas including accelerating innovation related to water security; strengthening water sustainability and efficiency; exploring new mechanisms for water financing and funding; and deepening engagement between the public sector, private sector, and international organizations to help guide and support the incubation, testing and scaling up of innovative solutions to water security challenges. " The establishment of this MOU is consistent with the goal of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to accelerate the development of new solutions to water scarcity and to boost international cooperation to address this growing threat to global security and prosperity," said Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. " By teaming up with the World Bank, our collective goal is to pursue tangible opportunities to drive innovation and investment aimed at addressing the challenge of water scarcity for the benefit of current and future generations." " This partnership aims to address critical water security challenges and foster innovative solutions to ensure sustainable water management," said Ousmane Dione, the World Bank Middle East and North Africa Vice President. " Jointly we will be promoting sustainable water management practices in water stressed regions around the world. Our collaboration will focus on accelerating innovations to support critical areas like irrigation, water re-use, and desalination in efforts to make every drop of water count." The agreement signed today formalizes the shared desire of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank to work together on projects and initiatives aimed at boosting innovation, investment and international cooperation to address the threat of water scarcity and to make a meaningful contribution to global water security and sustainability efforts. It also aims to create a tangible platform for cooperation and collaboration on water-related initiatives with stakeholders from different regions and sectors. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.
