ORGANIZER OF THE AWARD:
The World Innovation Award® is established by the World Organization for Development (WOD), an international
non-governmental organization with Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2014 and a participant of the UN Global Compact since 2016.
WOD’s global initiatives aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were twice recognized by the United Nations (in 2015 and 2021) as part of the world’s best practices.
AWARD MISSION:
The World Innovation Award honors leaders who have made an outstanding contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the systematic implementation of innovative solutions – in governance, economic development, urban transformation, social policy, and ESG practices.
The award has no geographical limitations — it is open to nominees from any country, city, or region where real, measurable change is taking place.
“The Sustainable Development Goals are the supreme test of politics — and it is cities where the battle for the SDGs will be won or lost.” — Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs
GLOBAL RECOGNITION AND INFLUENCE:
The World Innovation Award has earned its place as a central event on the global sustainable development agenda. As noted by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs — one of the key architects of the SDGs and a leading global authority in the field — in his interview for WEJ: “The Sustainable Development Goals are the supreme test of politics — and it is cities where the battle for the SDGs will be won or lost.”
Each September, the award ceremony brings together leaders who are actively addressing global challenges through innovation and systemic transformation.
The award is presented by the World Organization for Development (WOD) — an international non-governmental organization with Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (since 2014) and a participant in the United Nations Global Compact (since 2016).
The global initiatives implemented by WOD to support the Sustainable Development Goals were included by the United Nations in the official registry of SDG Good Practices — in both 2015 and 2021.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE STARTS IN CITIES:
The award places special emphasis on the contributions of urban leaders — mayors, ministers, and agency heads responsible for infrastructure, transport, education, and digital transformation.
In today’s world, the future of humanity is being shaped in cities: according to UN projections, more than 68% of the global population will live in urban areas by 2050.
The World Innovation Award highlights strategic efforts that successfully combine rapid urban growth with responsible resource management, digital innovation, and social inclusion.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Nominee projects and initiatives are assessed by experts from WOD using the Artificial Intelligence for Territorial Entities (AITE) platform.
The award is granted for a comprehensive body of work meeting the following criteria:
1. Contribution to a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG);
2. Focus on innovation and digital technology;
3. Measurable improvements in quality of life for a significant number of people;
4. Results of global or international relevance.
The award includes the following primary categories, each aligned with a specific SDG:
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Climate Action (SDG 13)
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)
Additional categories include: Empowerment of All Women and Girls (SDG 5)
PAST LAUREATES:
World Innovation Award 2023
Held during the BRICS Innovation Forum Award Recipients:
REYNA JUANITA RUEDA ALVARADO
Mayor of Managua, Nicaragua
NATALIA SERGUNINA
Vice Mayor of Moscow, Russia
SHANTA THOUTAM
CIO of the State of Telangana, India
EROL ÖZGÜNER
CIO, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Türkiye
KHALED EL-ATTAR
Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt
ABDULRAHMAN IBRAHIM
Chief Data and Innovation Officer of Al-Madinah Region Development Authority, Saudi Arabia
DAOUDA GUEYE
Vice Mayor for Technology, Dakar, Senegal
World Innovation Award 2024
Held on 18 September 2024 during the BRICS Urban Future Forum. Award Recipients:
MANSOUR AJRAN AL-BUAINAIN, Director of Doha Municipality, Qatar
MARAT SULTANGAZIYEV
Akim of Almaty Region, Kazakhstan
SHEIKH RASHID BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL KHALIFA
Governor of the Capital Governorate Bahrain
MANSUR YAVAŞ
Mayor of Ankara, Türkiye
DODDALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SHIVAKUMAR
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, India
ALIREZA ZAKANI
Mayor of Tehran, Iran
ELDAR AZIZOV
Mayor of Baku, Azerbaijan
SERGEI SOBYANIN
Mayor of Moscow, Russia
YANET HERNÁNDEZ PÉREZ
Governor of Havana, Cuba
EXPERT COUNCIL:
The Expert Council of the World Innovation Award includes distinguished international professionals in the fields of sustainable development, innovation, and digital technologies. Among them:
MAIMUNAH MOHD SHARIF
Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and former Executive Director of UN-Habitat (2018–2024)
DR. RAEKWON CHUNG
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (as part of the IPCC), former Climate Advisor to the UN Secretary-General
NICHOLAS YOU
Executive Director of the Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION:
Applications for the World Innovation Award 2025 are open until 29 August 2025.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Website: https://globalaward.org
Email: info@globalaward.org
The official award ceremony will be held in September 2025.
The city and date will be announced separately.
Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate your city, organization, or initiative — applications are open now.
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