WATER: Our Shared Story – Global Photo Competition

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) partners with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to launch the global photo competition "Water: Our Shared Story." The competition calls for a portfolio of 5 to 10 photographs that narrate how water shapes our world and the people who depend on it. Submissions are open online from 16 September 2026 until 15 October 2026 at 11:59 PM UAE Standard Time. Participants must be individuals aged 18 years or older. Each entry must include a title and description, be in JPEG format with a minimum size of 5 MB, and meet resolution requirements of at least 2000 pixels on the longest edge and 300 dpi. Raw or minimally edited images are preferred, and photos must not contain any identifying marks or logos. The competition is judged by a panel of experts, and winners will be announced after the 2026 UN Water Conference, which takes place in Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December 2026. While prize amounts are not disclosed, winners will receive recognition and the opportunity to have their work showcased in HIPA publications and exhibitions. The competition is entirely online, with no travel or housing provisions.

Participants must be individuals aged 18 years and over.