Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Aquatics Foundation has presented its first Environmental Award to the Republic of Azerbaijan and the City of Paris for outstanding initiatives in water sustainability and aquatic ecosystem protection. Each recipient will receive a USD $25,000 grant, with the formal presentation scheduled in Baku during the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in October 2026, attended by World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam.
Azerbaijan was recognized for its ongoing governmental commitment to environmental protection, including regulation and restoration of natural resources such as groundwater and the Caspian Sea. The nation has advanced sustainability and energy transition projects and will serve as the global host for the 2026 United Nations Environment Programme World Environment Day celebrations.
Paris was honored for its extensive project to restore the Seine River to a state safe for public swimming, closed since 1923. The initiative included over USD $1.6 billion invested in water quality, infrastructure modernization, and river ecosystem revitalization. This effort enabled the Seine to host the Open Water Swimming competitions during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and be used as the venue for the Opening Ceremony. Ongoing measures include supervised swimming areas, daily water quality monitoring, and infrastructure for urban cooling. There are also plans to expand public swimming zones throughout the Île-de-France region.