UAE prize greets innovators driving global progress

In the water category, SkyJuice Foundation, an Australian non-profit organization, won for its low-cost, gravity-powered water treatment solution, which uses low-pressure membrane filters to provide clean drinking water. Over three million people from 74 countries have benefited from their 9,000 installations.

In the climate action category, OpenMap Development Tanzania won for its mapping solutions, which merge community-driven data collection with advanced technologies such as drones, geographic information systems, and remote sensing. To date, it has benefited 140,000 people, creating 100 jobs.

The 2025 recipients of the global high schools awards are Centro de Estudios Tecnologicos del Mar No 07 from Mexico, Sakafia Islamic Senior High School from Ghana, Merryland International School from UAE; Presidential School in Tashkent from Uzbekistan, Janamaitri Multiple Campus from Nepal and Te Pa o Rakaihautu from New Zealand.

Chinese finalists

The award has seen 33 finalists selected for 2025, including two entries from China, after receiving almost 6,000 submissions.

Xinjiang Shawan Oasis Sustainable Development Institute, a nonprofit that specializes in solar-powered smart greenhouses that transform desert land into farms, is under the food category.

The desert greenhouse solution has been successful in providing vegetable and fruit supplies in desert areas, said Chen gang, executive director of the nonprofit.

More than 30 kinds of vegetables have been planted in such greenhouses, including eggplant, tomato, pepper, cucumber, potato, leaf lettuce and watermelon.

A greenhouse with an area of 600 square meters can produce nearly 7,000 kilograms of eggplant annually. Based on the average vegetable consumption of 0.5 kilograms for an adult per day, the output of a greenhouse can meet the need for sufficient vegetable supplies for 38 adults, he said.

The Beijing World Youth Academy, a private school, is a finalist in the global high school's group, which offers student-led sustainability solutions.

Xiong Zitian and Zhang Yuran, both 15, have led a group of 30 students to recycle food and organic waste through composting, and cultivating plants for the school community.

"By doing the program, we learn scientific research methods through experiments and tests of soil fertility, which will help us in the future," said Zhang.

"Although we are a little bit upset in not winning, it is a rare experience. As a member of China's Gen Z, we met many peers around the world with broad vision and operational ability. By communicating, we will expand the program and benefit a wider community," said Xiong.

cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn