World Water Forum
King Hassan II Great World Water Prize
Introduction
The King Hassan II Great World Water Prize, jointly established by the Kingdom of Morocco and the World Water Council, honors innovative and impactful initiatives in water resource management. Created in tribute to His Majesty the late King Hassan II, the Prize celebrates his forward-thinking approach to sustainable, integrated water resource management and his commitment to securing Morocco’s water future.
This prestigious award recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations—public or private—that have made significant contributions to the protection, preservation, and efficient use of water resources. It also honors efforts in wastewater reuse, public awareness, and innovative water governance.
Awarded every three years during the World Water Forum, the Prize is presented in a special ceremony during the opening plenary session. Since its inception, the Prize has traveled across the globe—from Kyoto (2003) to Mexico City (2006), Istanbul (2009), Marseille (2012), Daegu-Gyeongbuk (2015), Brasilia (2018), and Dakar (2022). The eighth edition took place in Bali, Indonesia, during the 10th World Water Forum in May 2024. The next Prize will be awarded at the 11th Forum in Riyadh.
The laureate receives a trophy, an official certificate, and a monetary award of $500,000 USD, earning global recognition for their efforts in advancing sustainable water management.
FAO Wins King Hassan II Great World Water Prize at 10th World Water Forum in Bali
At the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was awarded the 8th King Hassan II Great World Water Prize. This honor acknowledges FAO’s outstanding global leadership in the protection and sustainable use of water resources, aligning with the vision of the late King Hassan II for international cooperation and water security.
The award ceremony was led by Aziz Akhannouch, Head of the Moroccan Government, and attended by Nizar Baraka, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, and Loïc Fauchon, President of the World Water Council. The $500,000 prize, along with the trophy and certificate, was presented to FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.
The 2024 Prize focused on the theme: “Securing Water Resources for Food Sovereignty and Shared Prosperity”, attracting 84 high-quality submissions from around the world. In his acceptance speech, QU Dongyu expressed appreciation for the recognition of FAO’s work and highlighted the organization’s strategic initiatives, including:
- Integration of water into FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031
- Thematic strategies on Climate Change and Science & Innovation
- Development of National Water Roadmaps
- Irrigation mapping, flood risk assessment, and resilience-building measures
FAO’s comprehensive approach to supporting member countries in achieving water security through sustainable agriculture played a central role in its selection.
The King Hassan II Great World Water Prize continues to serve as a powerful symbol of the global commitment to water sustainability and a lasting tribute to a monarch whose vision for water resource stewardship remains influential today.
Former winners of King Hassan II Great World Water Prize
- 2022
- Dakar
Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS)
- 2018
- Brasilia
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- 2015
- Daegu & Gyeongbuk
Abdou Maman Kane
- 2012
- Marseille
The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS)
- 2009
- Istanbul
Abdulatif Youssef Al-Hamad
- 2006
- Mexico City
Torkil Jønch Clausen
- 2003
- Kyoto-Shiga-Osaka