For the first time globally, an Indian has been recognised by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) as a Global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Pioneer for Water Stewardship from India.

The United Nations Global Compact has announced ten new SDG Pioneers. They are business leaders who are doing an exceptional job of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through implementing the UN Global Compact Ten Principles on human rights and environment, labour and anti-corruption. The global search focused on professionals working at any level in a company participating in the UN Global Compact, with the winners selected coming from every continent. 

Their work spans various areas, from climate mitigation and adaptation to circular economy and digital transformation. Ramkrishna Mukkavilli, the Founder and Managing Director of Maithri Aquatech, a Make-In-India company, was previously selected as India’s SDG Pioneer by the UN Global Compact Network India (GCNI) earlier this year for his work in building water security with nature-based water solutions across India and 27 countries spanning South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He was recognised as one of the ten new SDG Pioneers for 2022.

The company’s unique solution  MEGHDOOT is based on an alternative water concept known as Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) that taps into a vast, renewable water resource – AIR, which contains six times as much fresh water as all the rivers on our planet combined. With global freshwater scarcity becoming a heated subject, there is a need for alternative and disruptive solutions such as MEGHDOOT to rapidly secure water access to consumers. 

The proven technology already meets the requirements of domestic consumers in water-scarce locations. Top Fortune 500 companies, large Public-sector companies, hospitals, schools, underserved communities and many others. Maithri Aquatech has generated over 100 million litres of fresh water from the air and saved an estimated 200 million litres of crucial groundwater resources from exploitation.

Ramkrishna Mukkavilli, Founder and Managing Director of Maithri Aquatech, said he is extremely humbled to have been recognised by the United Nations Global Compact. Recognitions such as these indeed show the importance sustainable water solutions such as MEGHDOOT have in the current global climate and the intensity of the global water problem. This recognition will empower my efforts in mitigating the water crisis across the planet, and I urge others to do the same. The business has a critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and improving our world. Global challenges ranging from food crises, climate and water to poverty, conflict, and inequality need solutions that the private sector can help deliver. 

This year’s SDG Pioneers, These exceptional professionals show precisely what can be done by business to make a difference that serves shareholders and society at large,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact. With this award, the SDG Pioneers will hope to continue to champion the Sustainable Development Goals in their local communities, inspiring others to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and leading the way to a more sustainable future. The 2022 SDG Pioneers were announced during the UN Global Leaders Summit 2022.