The Saudi Water Authority continues to receive submissions for the fourth edition of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW), targeting innovators, researchers, startups, universities, technology developers, and entrepreneurs from around the world; in a step that enhances the Kingdom's presence as a global platform bringing together minds and expertise to develop practical solutions to water challenges.

The fourth edition is distinguished by adding a new category concerned with rationalizing water consumption and raising its use efficiency; aiming to stimulate innovations that contribute to demand management, enhance optimal use of water resources, and expand the adoption of solutions and technologies supporting sustainability in various sectors.

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The remaining tracks of the prize cover advanced water production and desalination technologies, water reclamation and circular economy and zero liquid discharge technologies, digitization, automation and smart water management, environmental sustainability and water resource conservation, in addition to economically efficient wastewater solutions; allowing participation of innovations at various maturity levels, from idea to application.

The Saudi Water Authority confirmed that the prize goes beyond the concept of competition to building a global platform for knowledge exchange, expertise integration, and connecting innovators and researchers with operational and investment entities; thus contributing to accelerating the adoption of non-traditional solutions, and supporting the Kingdom's role in leading sustainable water innovation. Submissions for the fourth edition began on June 8, 2026, and continue until September 30, 2026, and the final ceremony is scheduled to be held on December 7, 2026, in Jeddah, where winners will be announced and outstanding projects and technologies honored, in the presence of an elite group of specialists, experts, investors, and those interested in the water sector, on the sidelines of the Innovation Conference on Water Sustainability in its fifth edition. The fourth edition comes as an extension of the success of the previous edition, which attracted 2,570 participation requests from 119 countries, and the participations represented 316 entities and institutions, culminating in 36 final projects from 22 countries, evaluated by an international jury of 28 experts from 12 countries, resulting in 14 winners; reflecting the prize's ability to attract qualitative innovations with tangible impact on the future of water.