On 23 June, during the Joint Opening of the 41st IAHR World Congress, the new Global Water Awards were presented and with that, their three respective laureates. The ceremony was attended by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Singapore, Chen Min, Vice Minister, Ministry of Water Resources of China, Retno Marsudi, United Nations Secretary General Special Envoy on Water, United Nations and Philippe Gourvesbille, IAHR President. 

The New IAHR Global Water Awards

Global challenges are only becoming more urgent on sustainability; climate resilience and mitigation; energy, food and nature; disasters; and digital transformation. By recognising excellence and bringing successes to the attention of the global water community, we can elevate impact and inspire others to continue their important work. 

Established by the IAHR Council of 2024, there are three new Global Water Awards: Individual category, Organisation category, and Young Professional category.

Prof. Ana Delectic, Adjunct Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of New South Wales, Sidney, received the 2025 IAHR Global Water Award, Individual category, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to urban water management, sustainable biofilter technology, and advocacy for women in engineering.

Arup received the 2025 IAHR Global Water Award, Organisation category, in recognition of Arup’s pioneering leadership in water resilience, advancing sustainable urban solutions, public health innovations, and fostering global collaboration to address climate challenges.

Dongfeng Li, Assistant Professor at the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, in Peking University, received the 2025 IAHR Global Water Award, Young Professional category, in recognition of his groundbreaking research on cryosphere-fed rivers, advancing understanding of climate change impacts on water and sediment fluxes, and his outstanding contributions to hydropower development, water security, and environmental protection.