The Hamdan bin Mohammed International Photography Award has invited photographers worldwide to enter the “Water: Our Shared Story” competition. Offering a total of $23,000 in prizes, the contest requires participants to submit a story-driven series of five to 10 photographs. The submission deadline is October 15, 2026.

The competition is organised by the Secretariat of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. It aims to highlight the role of water in people’s lives, communities, economies and the environment, while reflecting diverse experiences involving this vital resource.

The competition has five themes: “Water and People”, “Water and Communities”, “Water and the Planet”, “Water and Innovation”, and “Water and Challenges”. Participants must provide a title and description for their photo series, ensuring the images collectively tell a coherent story.

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Prizes and Entry Requirements

The first-, second- and third-place prizes are $10,000, $8,000 and $5,000, respectively. Submissions open on September 16 and close at 11:59pm UAE time on October 15, 2026. The competition is open to people aged 18 and above, and entries will be accepted only through the award’s official website.

Photos taken using mobile phones and drones are also accepted. Files must be submitted in JPEG format, be at least five megabytes in size, have a minimum long-edge length of 2,000 pixels and a resolution of at least 300 dpi. The organiser has also requested that the original RAW file or an unedited version of each image be uploaded when submitting an entry.

Basic technical adjustments are permitted, provided they do not alter the authenticity of the photograph. However, image compositing and creative retouching are prohibited. Images must not include signatures, logos, watermarks, frames or added borders.

Photographs must be the entrant’s own work and must respect the rights of others. Under the rules, selection for the final judging stage entails granting a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive and royalty-free licence to use the images for activities related to the competition and promotion of the award. The licence for winning entries also permits their use for any purpose.

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Water Issues Through the Eyes of the Public

Ali Khalifa Bin Thalith, Secretary-General of the award, said the competition harnesses photography’s cultural and educational power to broaden dialogue on water. He said photographs can transcend language barriers and help people understand complex issues from a human perspective.

Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, the UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, also highlighted the importance of diverse experiences and perspectives in understanding water challenges. He said photography can capture these experiences and create space for new voices to be heard.

The competition will take place ahead of the United Nations Water Conference, to be jointly hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, 2026. The conference will focus on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, including universal access to water, sanitation and wastewater services, and their sustainable management.