On the occasion of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the World Aquatics Foundation has announced the launch of the World Aquatics Foundation Drowning Prevention Award, a new initiative recognising individuals and organisations making an outstanding contribution to preventing drowning around the world.
The award reflects World Aquatics' commitment to tackling drowning as a global public health issue, and follows on from the Foundation's inaugural Environmental Award, launched earlier this year to mark World Environment Day and awarded to the Republic of Azerbaijan and the City of Paris.
In launching the Drowning Prevention Award, the World Aquatics Foundation is calling for nominations of deserving programmes and initiatives from Member Federations, Continental Organisations, partners and the wider global aquatics community.
Two grants of USD $25,000 will be awarded in 2026 to nominees judged to have made a significant impact on drowning prevention, whether through education, water safety training, community programmes or improved access to safe swimming environments.
A global public health priority
Announcing the award in a video message, World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam highlighted that drowning is a preventable global public health crisis, and said the World Aquatics Foundation’s award is part of a broader commitment to promoting water safety.
“Drowning is a global public health problem, one that we must commit ourselves to in partnership with everyone who will help,” President Al Musallam said.
"At World Aquatics, we believe every child, everywhere, deserves the skills and the confidence to be safe near the water and in the water, and through the World Aquatics Foundation, we are expanding our work to make this a reality"
He pointed to the work already being done through the World Aquatics Discover Water programme, and initiatives led by World Aquatics’ Member Federations.
“Most drowning deaths are accidents that could be prevented – we know what works: education, improved supervision, safer environments, better skills. But no single organisation can do this alone,” President Al Musallam said.
“Thank you to everyone working to prevent accidental drowning. You have my assurance that World Aquatics is completely by your side.”
Today, on World Drowning Prevention Day, the World Aquatics Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the World Aquatics Foundation Drowning Prevention Award, a new initiative recognising individuals and organisations making an outstanding contribution to preventing drowning… pic.twitter.com/DnrEYKXSFK
— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) July 25, 2026
Supporting drowning prevention through aquatics
The World Aquatics Foundation was created to address key global challenges in aquatic sports, water safety and environmental sustainability. Alongside its environmental initiatives, the Foundation focuses on athlete development, water safety and drowning prevention, and the global development of aquatic sports through education programmes, scholarships and community initiatives.
The World Aquatics Foundation Drowning Prevention Award will be determined through a nomination process, rather than a formal grant application, with further details on eligibility criteria and submission deadlines to follow in the coming weeks.
The award's launch comes as World Aquatics joins the global call to action for World Drowning Prevention Day 2026, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 to highlight the devastating and preventable impact of drowning, which claims over 300,000 lives every year and remains among the leading causes of death for children aged 5-14.
This year's theme, “Unite to Turn the Tide”, calls on every part of society, from parents and educators to policymakers, to play a role in the World Health Organization's goal of reducing drowning deaths by 35% by 2035.