Claudia Sheinbaum Wins WEF Public Officials Award

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has been named one of three recipients of the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) prestigious Public Officials Award in recognition of her leadership and contributions to sustainable water management. 

WEF, a global organization dedicated to promoting innovation and sustainability in water resource management, selected Sheinbaum based on her administration’s integrated approach combining science, public policy, and community engagement. “We did not apply for it ourselves; we only found out yesterday. Congratulations to the team,” Sheinbaum said during her daily press briefing.

Sheinbaum’s government has implemented a series of projects aimed at improving access to clean water, modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening environmental resilience. Among the most significant initiatives are the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in more than 62,000 homes, benefiting marginalized communities and reducing household burdens, especially on women. Her administration also designed a water policy for Mexico City recognized internationally for combining technology, citizen participation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Public-private partnerships have played a key role in ensuring reliable water supply and investment in infrastructure during critical periods. Strategic projects have expanded drinking water capacity by 1,658L/s, enhancing long-term resilience. Additionally, Sheinbaum signed the National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability, which aims to recover 3 billion m3 of water to ensure sufficient and quality supply for the population.

Looking ahead, the administration has plans to modernize 200,000ha of irrigation systems to improve efficiency in the agricultural sector and is advancing 17 national strategic projects to consolidate universal access to water. Another key priority is the cleanup and restoration of Mexico’s three most polluted rivers, the Santiago-Lerma, Tula, and Atoyac, under Commitment 92 of her government’s program.

WEF underscored that Sheinbaum’s integrated strategy serves as an international model for effective and equitable water resource management. Alongside Sheinbaum, the organization also recognized Kimberly Neely, a representative from Illinois, and Joe Shekarchi, a legislator from Rhode Island.

Sheinbaum has not yet confirmed her attendance to the Chicago ceremony, which will bring together global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss advances in water sustainability and infrastructure development.