2012 Stockholm Water Prize Winner

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) was named the winner of the 2012 Stockholm Water Prize on World Water Day back in March, but will be honored this month in Stockholm. The Stockholm Water Prize honors individuals, institutions or organizations whose work contributes broadly to the conservation and protection of water resources and to improved health of the planet´s inhabitants and ecosystems. “Having served as one of the nine international judges for the Stockholm Water Prize over the last four years, it is a special honor for me to see IWMI get the award. As water and food security challenges threaten global peace and prosperity, we should be celebrating the leaders, like IWMI, who are making a positive difference. May the achievements of IWMI spread the wealth of water stewardship and sustainable agriculture far and wide,” says Ben Grumbles, President of the Alliance.

IWMI is a non-profit, scientific research organization focusing on agricultural practices which benefit poor people in developing countries. Their mission is “to improve the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and the environment.” Since the organization’s creation in 1984, IWMI has been a leader in agricultural research and knowledge on global water resources.

The prize is being awarded to IWMI for their pioneering research that has served to improve agriculture water management, enhance food security, protect environmental health and alleviate poverty in developing countries. This work includes:

• A publication they helped produce, Water for Food, Water for Life: A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, established unprecedented knowledge on the status of global water and land resource, and continues to be one of the most influential studies on water and agriculture studies.
• Their effort in irrigation reform has improved the design, operation, and maintenance of irrigation systems in Asia and Africa.
• IWMI’s Water Data Portal provides global maps on water scarcity, irrigation use, environmental flows, and drought patterns, which has led to a water accounting system for potential usable water in a basin.

On August 30, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden will present the prize of $150,000 and a crystal sculpture specially designed and created by Orrefors at a Royal Award Ceremony during the 2012 World Water Week in Stockholm. The Stockholm Water Prize has been awarded annual by the Stockholm International Water Institute since its founding in 1991 by Swedish and international companies in collaboration with the City of Stockholm.