Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Highlights Urgent Action Needed For Global Water Crisis At UK Conference

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainable Affairs, took part in a ministerial roundtable organised by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The event focused on addressing water security within the climate-nature-development nexus. It highlighted the urgent need for collective action and leadership to tackle the global water crisis.

The roundtable was led by Baroness Chapman, UK’s Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean. It gathered ministers from Senegal, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Senior leaders from major multilateral institutions and international organisations like the European Commission, World Bank, UNICEF, UN Water, Water Aid, and the Global Commission on the Economics of Water also participated.

Balalaa emphasised the UAE's preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. He noted that this event aims to accelerate Sustainable Development Goal 6 implementation. He stated, "This Goal is the catalyst and enabler of all Sustainable Development Goals and all our global societal, environmental and economic goals."

Participants agreed to use key moments in the coming year to foster leadership in water management. They aim to enhance sanitation and hygiene efforts to support all SDGs. Collaborative partnerships will be formed to develop scalable solutions to water issues while integrating water into international agendas through existing UN processes.

A reception at Buckingham Palace was also attended by Balalaa. Hosted by His Majesty King Charles III in collaboration with WaterAid, it focused on 'Water and Climate’. This gathering followed an organisational session for the 2026 UN Water Conference held on 3rd March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

During this session in New York, over 70 participants including Member States and stakeholders shared their insights. They discussed themes for six interactive dialogues planned for the conference. These themes will be finalised during a preparatory meeting led by the President of the General Assembly on 9th July 2025.

The roundtable aimed to identify priority collaboration areas over the next year for systemic changes in addressing water issues across climate-nature-development intersections. The goal is to drive innovative solutions through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

With inputs from WAM