UAE Sets Stage For Global Water Security Talks At 2026 UN Conference

This week, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ delegation, led by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability, attended the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. The delegation participated in high-level panels, bilateral meetings, and sessions focused on practical steps to address challenges related to water security.

The UAE has consistently viewed climate action as an opportunity to contribute practical solutions to global problems. This was underscored by its hosting of COP28, where water held a central role in the climate agenda. During COP28, the UAE showcased its commitment to addressing global water scarcity by pledging USD 150 million for water scarcity solutions.

Building on COP28's water legacy and the UAE President’s launch of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative, the UAE will continue to urge the international community to collaborate in shaping a coordinated global effort to address water scarcity. This initiative aims to elevate and prioritize water within the global agenda and accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 and other water-related goals leading up to 2026.

During the Forum, Balalaa participated in several high-level panels, emphasizing the importance of building on the success of the UN 2023 Water Conference and ensuring that commitments turn into tangible actions. He shared the UAE’s reflections as a co-host candidate for the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Balalaa held bilateral meetings with various global stakeholders at the sidelines of the World Water Forum. These included Barbara Pompili, Special Envoy to the French President for the One Water Summit, and Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation. Discussions focused on the 2026 UN Water Conference and included representatives from the United Nations, World Bank, and Global Commission on the Economics of Water.

In their capacity as co-host candidates for the next UN-Water Conference in 2026, UAE and Senegal convened key partners from countries such as the Netherlands, Tajikistan, France, Finland, and Egypt. Government and non-state actors engaged in discussions to exchange ideas on national, regional, and global water plans and priorities.

The UN 2023 Water Conference took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in March 2023. Co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands, it was only the second UN conference dedicated to water since 1977. The event resulted in commitments towards achieving SDG 6 and other internationally agreed water-related goals outlined in the 2030 Development Agenda.

The next UN Water Conference will take place in 2026. Co-hosts from UAE and Senegal will organize a series of global consultations to engage the international community in identifying shared ambitions and priorities for this upcoming conference. Water remains a crucial factor in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring health and prosperity for people and planet.

With inputs from WAM