A. Rajendra Singh
B. Kaveh Madani
C. Johan Rockström
D. Peter Gleick
Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), has been named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize laureate. The announcement was made on March 18, 2026, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris during World Water Day ceremonies. Often described as the “Nobel Prize of Water,” this is the world’s most prestigious award for outstanding achievements in water-related activities.
At 44 years old, Madani is the youngest laureate in the prize’s 35-year history, as well as the first UN official and the first former politician to receive this honor. The prize committee recognized him for his “unique combination of groundbreaking research on water resources management with policy, diplomacy and global outreach, often under personal risk and political complexity”. He is widely known for developing the concept of “water bankruptcy,” a framework that identifies when water insecurity becomes chronic, systemic, and irreversible. The prize will be formally presented by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during World Water Week in Stockholm in August 2026.
Key Points About the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize:
- Laureate: Professor Kaveh Madani (Iranian-born, Director of UNU-INWEH, based in Canada)
- Announcement Date: March 18, 2026, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris
- Historic Achievement: Youngest laureate (44), first UN official, and first former politician to win
- Known For: Developing the “water bankruptcy” concept and integrating game theory into water resources management
- Award Ceremony: August 2026 during World Water Week in Stockholm, presented by Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf