The Stockholm International Water Institute announced that the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is the 2012 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. Speaking at a ceremony in Stockholm today, the awarding committee cited IWMI’s extraordinary contribution to the development of “new policies and investments in agriculture that have not only enabled more productive use of water, but have enhanced food security, economic development and environmental health around the world.”
The Stockholm Water Prize is “the world’s most prestigious prize given for outstanding achievements in water-related research activities.” It honors individuals, institutions or organizations whose work contributes broadly to the conservation and protection of water resources, and also to improved health of the planet’s inhabitants and ecosystems.
The award was presented at a Royal Prize Ceremony and Banquet in the Stockholm City Hall during World Water Week. Colin Chartres, Director General of IWMI, gave the acceptance speech and received the diploma from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. The award prize consists of a crystal sculpture and $150,000.
“I am absolutely delighted that the International Water Management Institute has been awarded this year’s Stockholm Water Prize,” Chartres said. “It is an incredible honor for all of us and I’d like to thank the award committee for recognizing IWMI’s work with such a high-profile accolade.”
Chartres also paid tribute to everyone, past and present, who had worked for IWMI. “The real winners are IWMI’s dedicated staff members and partners who, for just over a quarter of a century, have consistently delivered scientific research of the highest quality,” he said. “This work has had a profound influence on water management policy throughout the globe, delivering real benefits for some of the poorest people on earth. Likewise our success would not have been possible without our donors. I hope that they can feel justly proud of the investments they have made in time, expertise and money that have led to this achievement.”
Ahead of the award ceremony, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, congratulated IWMI on becoming the 2012 prize laureate.
