UAE Strengthens Global Engagements Ahead Of The 2026 United Nations Water Conference

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actively engaging in global discussions as it prepares to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference with Senegal. This month, the UAE participated in two significant international forums: the 41st UN-Water Meeting in Rome and the 12th Roundtable on Financing Water at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Headquarters in Jeddah.

At the Jeddah Roundtable, over 100 participants from various sectors, including governments, financial institutions, and civil society, gathered to discuss sustainable water investments. The event was organised by the OECD and IsDB. Discussions focused on using Islamic finance principles to enhance water investment resilience and sustainability. These insights aim to shape financing strategies for both the 2026 UN Water Conference and the 11th World Water Forum.

Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, represented the UAE at these forums. He highlighted that finance and investment are crucial for advancing water solutions globally. "The 2026 United Nations Water Conference will be a pivotal moment to accelerate progress, bridge commitments with implementation, and build momentum behind a global movement for water," he stated.

Balalaa stressed the importance of unlocking new capital sources, especially from private sectors. He emphasised creating environments that align finance with policy, innovation, and technology for impactful outcomes. The UAE's commitment to water innovation is evident through initiatives like the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and competitions such as the XPrize Water Scarcity Competition.

The high-level nature of these events was highlighted by senior officials' participation. Notable attendees included Cheikh Tidiane Dieỳe from Senegal and Abdul Aziz Al-Shaibani from Saudi Arabia. Their presence underscores a strong regional and global commitment to advancing sustainable water finance.

The UAE's involvement in the 41st UN-Water Meeting marked its first capital-level engagement in this forum. It provided an opportunity to strengthen coordination with UN-Water members like Senegal and UN DESA, which serves as Secretariat for the 2026 Conference.

Preparing for Future Conferences

During these engagements, reflections were shared on an Organisational Session held in March at UN Headquarters in New York. Stakeholders were encouraged to contribute to an online consultation on themes for six interactive dialogues. The outcomes will inform a Background Note by UN DESA for a preparatory meeting convened by the President of the General Assembly on July 9th in New York.

According to World Bank estimates, achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 requires approximately US$6.7 trillion by 2030. This highlights an urgent need for innovative capital sources. Through its active participation in these forums, the UAE reaffirms its dedication to fostering dialogue, unlocking innovation, and driving global action towards successful outcomes at upcoming conferences.

With inputs from WAM