Dr. Kaveh Madani, a CCNY Research Professor and one of the world's top climate experts, is the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize winner.
In a special ceremony at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to mark World Water Day, Kaveh Madani, Research Professor in The City College of New York’s CUNY-CREST Institute, and Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize recipient. He will receive the award from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during World Water Week in Stockholm in August.
The Stockholm Water Prize is the ultimate global recognition for extraordinary achievements in water-related activities. Often described as the “Nobel Prize of Water,” it is the most prestigious water award given annually to an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the sustainable use and protection of water resources. It is awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The architect of the ‘water bankruptcy’ concept, Madani has earned this immense honor for his courageous and peerless ability to transform groundbreaking research into global policy, diplomacy and outreach under extreme personal risk and political complexity.
His selection as this year’s prize winner stands out not only for his scientific achievements, but for the extraordinary journey behind them. It’s also a historic milestone for the global water community: at age 44, Madani is the youngest laureate in the prize's 35-year history, the first UN official, and the first former politician to receive the honor.
“In the Persian tradition of Nowruz, water is a symbol of light and purity on our New Year table,” said Madani. “To be named the Stockholm Water Prize Laureate during Nowruz is a vindication I share with all Iranians who believed in me when I was labeled a ‘threat’ for simply speaking the truth. I accept this honor with profound humility, and I am deeply grateful to my nominators, the selection committee, and the mentors, colleagues, and students who have been my intellectual family throughout this journey. I share this award with the millions of compatriots who stood by me, with my friends in the conservation community, who were imprisoned and killed for their love of nature, and with the brave and innocent Iranian lives taken from us in January 2026, and those lost before and since.”
Anette Scheibe Lorentzi, Chair of the Stockholm Water Foundation, lauded Madani for his accomplishments. “Through his work and outstanding achievements, Professor Madani has made invaluable contributions to our understanding of cross-cutting and complex water issues. In the face of a changing climate, this knowledge is more important than ever, and I congratulate Professor Madani on being awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2026,” she said.
“Only a small number of scientists succeed in bridging the worlds of research, policy, and public understanding. Professor Madani belongs to that rare group,” said CCNY President Vincent G. Boudreau. “His pioneering work on water governance and the concept of ‘water bankruptcy,’ along with his dedication to policy and societal outreach, has helped elevate water to the center of global sustainability discussions.
“This recognition reflects both his extraordinary scholarship and the vital role of science in shaping a more secure future. The City College has been a proud home to many Nobel laureates and now celebrates the well-deserved awarding of the first ‘Nobel Prize of Water’ to one of its own.”
“Professor Kaveh Madani’s recognition with the Stockholm Water Prize is a moment of immense pride for all of us at CCNY and in the global water community,” said Reza Khanbilvardi, Executive Director of the CUNY-CREST Institute at CCNY and Co-Executive Director of UNU-Hub at CCNY, the first in the U.S. “His visionary scholarship, coupled with an unwavering commitment to translating science into policy and action, exemplifies the mission of our institute to advance knowledge that serves society.”
“At a time when water challenges are becoming increasingly complex and urgent, Prof. Madani’s leadership and courage in confronting these issues have inspired scientists, policymakers, and communities around the world. We congratulate him on this historic and well-deserved honor.”
Tshilidzi Marwala, UN Under Secretary-General and Rector of the United Nations University, said: “Prof. Kaveh Madani exemplifies the mandate of the United Nations University: turning rigorous scientific insight into practical solutions for the world’s most urgent challenges. His work has transformed how governments and societies understand water scarcity, bringing clarity and urgency to one of the defining issues of our time.”
“Beyond his outstanding scholarship and policy impact, Prof. Madani has demonstrated exceptional strategic leadership within the UNU system, revitalizing UNU-INWEH’s global footprint and forging innovative partnerships that bridge the United Nations and academia to accelerate solutions for Member States,” Marwala added.
About Dr. Kaveh Madani
For Kaveh Madani, water was a calling long before it was a career. Born in Tehran in 1981, he was the son of two professionals who both worked in Iran’s water sector. Growing up in a country facing severe water challenges helped shape his academic path. He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Tabriz before moving to Sweden — the future home of his prize—to complete a MSc in Water Resources at Lund University. He later earned a PhD from the University of California, Davis, and conducted post-doctoral research at University of California, Riverside. He is globally recognized for integrating game theory into water resources management modeling and coining the term “water bankruptcy” to characterize the current state of failing water systems around the world. He joined CCNY’s CUNY-CREST Institute in 2021. Read More.
About The Stockholm Water Prize
Known as the ‘Nobel Prize of Water’, the Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most prestigious water award. Since its inception in 1991, it has been awarded annually to individuals and organizations who have made substantial contributions to the sustainable use and protection of the world’s water resources, thereby leading to improved health and well-being of humans as well as ecosystems. The Stockholm Water Foundation presents the Prize in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden serving as official patron and presenter. Each year’s Laureate is announced around World Water Day in March, then formally honored at a royal ceremony during World Water Week in August, where they play a central role in the Week’s celebrations.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 2.2% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.7 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers, and society. At City College, more than 16,500 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity, and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together,” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College's mission. By May 2026, more than $500 million had been raised. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic, and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
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