The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and China’s ISDMU sign MoU to Enable Collaboration in Desalination Technology Innovation

Beijing, the People's Republic of China, 13 May 2025 – The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU), part of the People’s Republic of China's Ministry of Natural Resources, to collaborate on efforts to accelerate technological innovation in desalination.

The MoU, signed during a ceremony attended by His Excellency Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE Ambassador in Beijing, and Xiang Wenxi, Director and Vice Party Secretary at the Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU), will explore a wide range of potential joint activities including research, training programs, and projects on desalination approaches and technologies. This partnership aims to accelerate scientific and technological collaboration between the UAE and China in the desalination space by facilitating direct collaboration and capacity building among the two countries’ public sector, industry, and academia.

“The signing of this MoU with the Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU) is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to accelerate technological innovation and boost international cooperation in the desalination space", said Ayesha Al-Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. “Desalination remains one of the most effective and promising technologies available to address the world’s water challenges, and this partnership is a testament to the mutual commitment that the UAE and China share to support the development of new solutions that can make access to water more sustainable and cost-efficient for all.”

Xiang Wenxi, Director and Vice Party Secretary at the Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization (ISDMU), said: "As the only non-profit state level research organization in China focused on seawater desalination and utilization technologies, we are keen to formalize our partnership with The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to improve bilateral technological and scientific cooperation with the UAE. We look forward to advancing peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and collaboration on joint projects as part of our shared goal to advance desalination technologies."

This partnership reflects a shared vision that shapes the future of desalination through innovative solutions to address water scarcity, support communities, and promote sustainable development globally.