The Prize Committee will evaluate candidatures based on one or more of the following criteria:

• Practical applicability to arid and semi-arid areas
• Scientific, technological and/or educational innovation
• Contributions to environmental improvements
• Beneficial socio-economic impact
• Consistency with goals of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO

Possible themes

• Preservation of water yield and quality of renewable aquifers in relation to groundwater development
• Management of coastal aquifers
• Artificial recharge of aquifers
• Impact of water resources management on urban, rural, industrial and agricultural economic development and social welfare
• Management and use of non-renewable groundwater resources
• Integrated management of surface and groundwater resources
• Reduction of evaporation and losses in water systems
• Water harvesting and Wadi management
• Improvement of water use efficiency
• Water demand management
• Water re-use
• Remote sensing for assessment and monitoring

Selection of prizewinner(s)

The prizewinner(s) shall be selected by the Director-General of UNESCO on the basis of the proposals made to him by a Jury.

Jury

The Jury shall consist of five members, of different nationalities, appointed by the Director-General for a period of six years.

The Jury shall meet every two years.