Organizer Information

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is an internationally renowned photography award established in Dubai, UAE. For this initiative, HIPA has partnered with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi) to highlight Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) and showcase human, ecological, and technological stories surrounding global water resources.

Title & Description

WATER: Our Shared Story – Global Photo Competition

HIPA, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 2026 UN Water Conference, has launched WATER: Our Shared Story. This global photography call invites photographers worldwide to present cohesive photo stories (5 to 10 images) illustrating how water shapes human lives, ecosystems, urban communities, and technological solutions. Designed to bring visual urgency to global conversations surrounding water availability and sanitation ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (December 8–10, 2026), the competition offers $23,000 USD in total cash awards.

Categories

Submissions must explore one or several of the following core thematic areas:

  • Water & People
  • Water & Communities
  • Water & Planet
  • Water & Innovation
  • Water & Challenges

Eligibility

  • Age Benchmark: Open to individual participants aged 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.
  • Geographic Scope: Open unconditionally to photographers of all nationalities worldwide.
  • Submission Format: Participants must submit a portfolio series of 5 to 10 photographs (single-image entries are not accepted).
  • Equipment Allowed: Standard cameras, mobile phone photography, and drone photography are all permitted.
  • Ethics & Cultural Sensitivity: Submissions must respect UAE cultural, religious, and public moral traditions (nudity, graphic violence, or offensive content are strictly prohibited).
  • Image Authenticity & RAW Verification: Basic technical editing is allowed, but advanced digital manipulation, compositing, or deception is forbidden. Participants must upload original RAW files or unedited original camera files alongside their entry.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • First Place: $10,000 USD
  • Second Place: $8,000 USD
  • Third Place: $5,000 USD
  • Global Exposure: Potential display at UN Water Conference exhibitions, inclusion in official HIPA hardcover books, and feature promotion across HIPA's global digital media networks.

Application Fee

Participation in the competition is 100% free of charge ($0 entry fee).

How to Apply

Register an account on the official HIPA portal and submit your photo story alongside RAW files.

Key Dates

  • Submissions Window: September 16, 2026 – October 15, 2026 (11:59 PM UAE Time / GMT+4)
  • Application Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026
  • UN Water Conference Exhibition: December 8 – December 10, 2026 (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Location

Initial application uploads, RAW file verification, and jury reviews take place Online. The physical exhibition and conference take place live in the United Arab Emirates at:

2026 UN Water Conference

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Additional Details & Copyright

Entrants retain full underlying copyright ownership. Shortlisted and winning entrants grant HIPA a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce and display accepted works for competition promotion, exhibitions, books, and educational initiatives.

Website Link: https://hipa.ae/competitions/water-our-shared-story-2026

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