Marrakech: The 19th World Water Congress, currently taking place in Marrakech, saw the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) honoring individuals and organizations that have made substantial contributions to water resource management. These awards aim to acknowledge efforts that support innovative solutions and promote sustainable practices benefiting communities and ecosystems globally.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the prestigious “Ven Te Chow Memorial Award” was awarded to Cecilia Tortajada, a professor at the School of Social and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Glasgow. This accolade was established by IWRA to honor its founder and first president, Ven Te Chow, and recognizes significant contributions in water resource management.

The Crystal Drop Award was bestowed upon Claudia Sadoff, an independent consultant and member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Pacific Institute. This award acknowledges exceptional contributions to the global water sector and efforts to improve water resource conditions worldwide.

Hassan Tolba Aboelnga, a researcher at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences and an expert in water security and climate resilience, received the Water Drop Award. This award is given to students or young professionals, typically under 35, for their innovative contributions to the water sector.

Furthermore, the IWRA announced the winners of the Best Paper Award for 2023 and 2024 during the ceremony. The congress, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and co-organized by the Ministry of Equipment and Water and the IWRA, serves as a platform to explore innovative solutions, strategies, and adaptive approaches to water resources in an ever-evolving world.