Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will award $1 million to any research institute that devises a solar-powered way to solve the region’s water scarcity.

Employing solar (abundant) to tackle the perennial problem of providing clean water (scarce) in one of the world’s hottest, driest and richest regions – that is the challenge laid down this week by the Dubai ruler and UAE vice president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Speaking at this year’s launch of the UAE Water Aid Foundation, Al Maktoum threw down the gauntlet to some of the world’s leading research institutes to devise a solar-powered solution to tackling the Middle East region’s chief problem – securing a safe, steady and sustainable water supply.

The reward for any successful solar endeavor adopted by the UAE is set at US$1 million, which is sure to turn the heads of solar experts convinced they can be of assistance.

"We are working on searching for durable and radical solutions to the problem of water scarcity using solar energy in the process of purification and desalination of water in needy areas around the world," said Sheikh Mohammed. "Therefore, we invite all research institutions around the world to participate in a competition of $1 million to be awarded to people who can find sustainable, cheap and innovative solutions."