IWRA Awards

Celebrating Excellence

Since its creation, IWRA recognises the contributions towards water management and the excellence of water researchers, professionals and organisations. IWRA presents 5 main awards.

Ven Te Chow Memorial Award and Lecture

The Ven Te Chow Memorial Award and Lecture is one of the highest distinctions conferred by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA). Established in honour of the Association’s founding president, Ven Te Chow, the award recognises individuals who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to the advancement of water resources research, management, and innovation at the global level.

Recipients are invited to deliver the Ven Te Chow Memorial Lecture at the IWRA World Water Congress, providing a platform to share pioneering ideas, influence policy and practice, and inspire progress towards sustainable and integrated water resources management. Through this distinction, IWRA celebrates excellence in leadership, science, and collaboration across the international water community.

Ven Te Chow Awardees

Crystal Drop Award

The Crystal Drop Award is the highest distinction conferred by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA). It recognises individuals or organisations whose outstanding research, leadership or practice has made a transformative contribution to the sustainable management of the world’s water resources.

Presented at the IWRA World Water Congress, the award celebrates excellence that advances water security, knowledge and cooperation worldwide.

Crystal Water Drop Awardees

Water Drop Award

The International Water Resources Association presents the IWRA Water Drop Award to honour exceptional contributions to water resources management, research, policy, and practice worldwide. The award celebrates individuals and organisations that advance sustainable, equitable, and innovative water solutions. By recognising excellence across disciplines and regions,

IWRA highlights leadership that helps secure water for people, ecosystems, and future generations.

Water Drop Awardees

Water International Best Paper Award

The IWRA Water International Best Paper Award is presented annually by the IWRA to recognise outstanding scholarly contributions published in its flagship journal, Water International. The award honours research that demonstrates originality, rigorous analysis, and meaningful impact on water policy, governance, and management worldwide.

By celebrating excellence in academic publishing, IWRA highlights innovative knowledge that supports more sustainable and equitable water futures.

Please note that Best Paper articles since 2002 are free to access for non-members here. 

Visit Water International

Water International Best Paper Awardees

Other Special Awards

Institutions responsible for water resources management play a critical role in delivering this vital resource to people while protecting the environment. Amid ever-evolving challenges and pressures, effective water management requires the integration of robust knowledge, sound science, appropriate policies, and efficient implementation.

This award recognises regional, national, or local institutions that have demonstrated sustained excellence in water resources management. By highlighting their achievements, the award aims to share valuable experiences and insights with organisations, scientists, and water professionals worldwide, fostering sustainable and equitable water management practices.

The award was presented during the Awards Ceremony at the IWRA XV World Water Congress. It included a special plaque and a certificate, which were awarded to a representative of the recognised institution.

Awardees:

  • The Scottish Government
  • CONAGUA

50th Anniversary Awards

On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary, IWRA created the 50th Anniversary Awards to mark the milestone. These awards were given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the growth of the Association, positioning IWRA as a source of thought leadership and water knowledge, raising youth awareness of the water issues, and the profile of young professionals in IWRA. The winners were announced during the XVII World Water Conference, from November 29th to December 3rd, 2021, in Daegu, Rep. of Korea.

To honour the people who have served and supported the mission of IWRA over the past half-century, the 50th Anniversary Committee established the following five award categories listed below. Following a call for nominations, the winners were selected by the Awards Committee (Rabi Mohtar, Christina Leb, Majduline El-Tahir and Renée Martin-Nagle).

Global Reach to recognise those who helped IWRA achieve a global presence – James Nickum / Malin Falkenmark

Foundation to recognise key members of staff who volunteered their time – Ben Dziegielewski

Past to recognise those who were most influential in IWRA’s early years – Cecilia Tortajada / Hiroshi Hori

Present to recognise those who have been most influential in recent years – Salman Salman / Gary Jones

Future to recognise those who are expected to lead IWRA into the future – Bassel Daher