Dubai: The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), held its second meeting in 2020. The meeting was chaired by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia. Suqia board members HE Fahad Abdelrahman bin Sultan, Deputy Secretary-General for International Aid at the Emirates Red Crescent & Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia; HE Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Murad, Dean of the College of Science in the United Arab Emirates University; Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President of Generation at DEWA; and Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed the global momentum of the 2nd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Awards, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The USD 1 million awards encourage research centres, individuals, and innovators from around the world to find sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity and pollution using solar power. The meeting also tackled the different projects of 2020 and their implementation mechanisms.
Al Tayer highlighted that Suqia is starting the next 50 years with an ambitious vision that shapes the future and promotes giving and benevolence, instilled by the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. “We begin the new year with increased efforts to maintain our effective contribution to improve millions of lives around the world and make positive changes globally from the UAE; the land of peace, happiness, positivity, tolerance, and giving. We promise to carry on our noble humanitarian mission to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to water scarcity – one of the world’s biggest challenges. This is in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We consider our sustainable projects across 36 countries, that provides drinking water for more than 9 million people, a new starting point for greater achievements. The positive global momentum of the 2nd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Awards, and awarding ten winners from 8 countries, consolidate the UAE and Dubai’s position in the global humanitarian field,” said Al Tayer.
“The success of the first and second Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Awards underlines the importance of the award globally and its role in enhancing the UAE’s position as a global platform for innovation and a hub for creativity. The increasing global attention to water security reflects the importance of the award as a comprehensive umbrella to unite efforts in providing innovative and effective solutions to fight drought and water pollution. This is in addition to concerted efforts to use solar power to provide clean drinking water around the world,” added Al Tayer.
“The wide and global recognition of Suqia’s efforts has greatly encouraged us to move forward with more collaboration nationally and internationally to highlight the growing role of the UAE and its wise leadership in meeting humanitarian needs. This is through adopting innovative and sustainable solutions to overcome humanitarian and developmental challenges, to ensure a better future for all,” said Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia.
