Why in News?
The Stockholm Water Prize is recently in the news because Professor Kaveh Madani has been named the 2026 Laureate. Widely regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Water," the award was announced on March 18, 2026, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris ahead of World Water Day.
About
- Youngest Laureate: At 44, he is the youngest recipient in the prize's 35-year history.
- Unique Background: He is the first UN official and first former politician to receive the honour.
- "Water Bankruptcy": He is being recognised for coining this concept, which frames water scarcity as a systemic failure rather than a temporary crisis.
- Resilience and Risk: The citation highlights his work in linking water science with policy and diplomacy, often under significant personal and political risk; Madani is recently in exile from Iran.
Key Features
The prize honours individuals or organisations whose work contributes to the conservation and protection of world water resources.
- Established: Created in 1991 by the Stockholm Water Foundation.
- Awarded By: Presented by the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- The Award: Includes a 1 million SEK (Swedish Krona) cash prize and a specially designed Orrefors crystal sculpture.
- Patronage: H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the official patron and presents the award annually during World Water Week in August.
Recent Laureates
Notable Indian Winners
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