Beijing: The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has signed a key MoU with China’s ISDMU to advance desalination technology, part of a wider global strategy including partnerships with the World Bank and international firms to combat rising water shortages driven by climate change.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has embarked on a transformative partnership with the Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU), an entity under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in a ceremony that underlined a commitment to advancing desalination technology, which is crucial given the escalating global water scarcity challenges.
His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador in Beijing, alongside Xiang Wenxi, Director and Vice Party Secretary of the ISDMU, emphasised the importance of collaborative research initiatives, training programmes, and joint projects aimed at enhancing desalination processes. Such partnerships not only solidify bilateral relationships but also act as catalysts for innovation within the public sectors, industries, and academic institutions of both nations.
Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, stated that this agreement marks a significant milestone in their continuing dedication to promoting technological advancements and international cooperation in the desalination sector. Al-Ateeqi remarked, “Desalination remains one of the most effective and promising technologies available to address the world’s water challenges.” This sentiment echoes a broader strategic imperative; as global water shortages continue to rise, the need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions becomes increasingly critical.
This particular partnership reflects an essential step towards a global response to water scarcity, which has been exacerbated by climate change. Moreover, in March 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a $150 million initiative in association with the American XPrize Foundation. This project aims to foster affordable seawater desalination systems, demonstrating the UAE’s proactive approach toward addressing global water concerns through technological innovation.
The urgency for efficient desalination technologies has been further underscored by other international collaborations. Notably, in September 2024, SUEZ, TAQA, and Siemens signed an MoU to engage with the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. This alliance seeks to stimulate innovation for sustainable water access in emerging markets, reinforcing socio-economic equity and environmental sustainability.
The issue of water scarcity was also a focal point at international forums, such as COP29 in Baku, where the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, along with the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative and the International Desalination and Reuse Association, brought attention to the integration of renewable energy in desalination. This collaboration aligns with the global call for innovative solutions to combat water shortages driven by climate change.
Further supporting this theme of innovation, a partnership was announced in February 2025 between the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank. The MoU focuses on fostering investment and innovation in water resource management. Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, noted the necessity of cooperative frameworks that would bolster water security in communities around the world.
As the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative forges these critical international relationships, it highlights the profound and urgent need for innovative solutions to address chronic water scarcity. The shared commitment from global leaders and organisations not only solidifies the UAE’s role as a pioneer in the desalination sector but also signifies a unified approach toward sustainable water management on an international scale.
This collaboration is more than a regional partnership; it embodies a global strategy essential for ensuring that access to water becomes sustainable and equitable for all, an undertaking that is as crucial as it is ambitious.
Reference Map
- Paragraph 1
- Paragraph 2
- Paragraph 3
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 5
- Paragraph 6
- Paragraph 7
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/smart-water-magazine/mohamed-bin-zayed-water-initiative-and-chinas-isdmu-partner-desalination – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2024/03/01/president-sheikh-mohamed-launches-150-million-initiative-to-tackle-global-water-scarcity/ – In March 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched a $150 million initiative to address global water scarcity. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative partnered with the American XPrize Foundation to develop affordable seawater desalination systems. This collaboration aims to accelerate technological innovation and international cooperation in desalination, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to sustainable water solutions.
- https://www.suez.com/en/news/press-releases/suez-taqa-siemens-join-forces-future-desalination-emerging-countries – In September 2024, SUEZ, TAQA, and Siemens signed a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. This global competition seeks to develop breakthrough solutions for sustainable and affordable access to water in emerging countries. The partnership aims to drive innovation in desalination technologies, promoting socio-economic equity and environmental sustainability.
- https://www.doe.gov.ae/en/Media-Centre/News/Department-of-Energy-Abu-Dhabi-MBZWI-and-IDRA-champion-innovation-and-collaboration – In November 2024, the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZWI), and the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) collaborated at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. They participated in a panel discussion titled ‘Water and Climate Change: Integrating Desalination, Reuse, Renewable Energy, and Stewardship for Sustainable Water Solutions,’ focusing on innovative approaches to address water shortages exacerbated by climate change.
- https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/02/11/the-mohamed-bin-zayed-water-initiative-and-world-bank-sign-mou-focused-on-driving-innovation-and-investment-to-address-global-water-scarcity – In February 2025, the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on accelerating innovation and investment to address global water scarcity. The partnership aims to strengthen water security in communities worldwide by promoting sustainable water management practices, including desalination, water reuse, and efficient irrigation.
- https://www.mohamedbinzayedwi.ae/news/the-mohamed-bin-zayed-water-initiative-and-the-world-bank-signed-a-memorandum-of-understanding-%28mou%29-today-to-collaborate-on-efforts-to-accelerate-innovation-and-investment-to-address-global-water-scarcity%2C-and-strengthen-water-security-in-communities-aro – The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and the World Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on efforts to accelerate innovation and investment to address global water scarcity, and strengthen water security in communities around the world. The MoU was co-signed by Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and Ousmane Dione, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the World Bank, during the World Governments Summit 2025.
- https://www.mohamedbinzayedwi.ae/news/mohamed-bin-zayed-water-initiative-explores-opportunities-for-innovation-to-address-water-scarcity – The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative concluded its participation at the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) World Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi held from 9-12 December. In partnership with XPRIZE Foundation, it explored opportunities to address the critical issue of water scarcity and accelerate innovation in sustainable, cost-effective desalination systems. Together with the XPRIZE Foundation, representatives of the Mohamed bin Zayed Initiative participated in a series of lectures, thought leadership sessions, and youth engagement activities, exploring a range of topics, including the historical significance of the UAE’s ancient Aflaj irrigation systems, and learnings for sustainably managing scarce water resources.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent events, such as the partnership announced in February 2025 and another in March 2024, indicating that the information is current. However, the lack of specific dates for some events reduces the score slightly.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Ayesha Al-Ateeqi is provided, but no specific source or date for the quote is mentioned. Without additional context, it is difficult to verify if this is the original use of the quote.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from a less well-known publication, Smart Water Magazine, which lacks the reputation of major news outlets like BBC or Reuters. However, the content does not appear to be sensational or biased.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about partnerships and initiatives are plausible given the context of global water scarcity challenges. The involvement of well-known entities like the World Bank and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan supports the plausibility of these collaborations.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent and plausible information, but its reliability is compromised by the lack of verification of quotes and the publication’s lesser-known status. Further verification is needed for a definitive assessment.
