UAE Delegation Spearheads Global Water Sustainability Talks In Indonesia

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led the UAE delegation to the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. The event, themed ‘Water for Shared Prosperity’, was organised by the World Water Council and the Government of Indonesia. It gathered 30,000 participants from 180 countries, including government officials and water experts.

The UAE's high-level delegation included Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN; and top officials from various ministries and the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.

Al Mazrouei highlighted the pressing issue of water sustainability, noting that global water needs have surged due to population and industrial growth. He emphasised water's critical role in food and energy security and pointed out the increasing difficulty of maintaining a sustainable water supply due to environmental degradation and climate change.

He stated, "We must work together to promote efficient and integrated management of water resources as part of our agenda."

UAE's National Water Priorities

Al Mazrouei underscored that water is a national priority for the UAE, given its arid geographical location and scarce natural water resources. The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 aims to ensure sustainable access to potable water under both normal and emergency conditions.

The UAE relies heavily on non-conventional sources for fresh water production. Urban water supplies depend on desalinated seawater, making the UAE one of the largest producers globally. By 2036, over 50 percent of desalinated water will be produced using low carbon emission Reverse Osmosis technology.

Achievements in Water Management

A United Nations report indicated that the UAE has achieved an average of 100 percent in providing safe drinking water and sanitation services. The country also scored 80 percent in integrated water resources management, one of the best results regionally.

Al Mazrouei mentioned that the UAE has adopted strategies to improve water resources management, support strategic reserves, and enhance rainwater harvesting efficiency. During COP28, the UAE announced its first hydrogeological map and geo-database, a significant step in managing water sources sustainably.

Global Water Initiatives

The Minister highlighted the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative's efforts to address global water scarcity. The initiative has partnered with XPRIZE, investing US$150 million in a five-year competition aimed at improving desalination technologies' reliability, affordability, and sustainability.

Additionally, the UAE launched Suqia UAE to provide safe drinking water to underprivileged communities. Since its establishment in 2015, Suqia UAE has benefited around 14.9 million people worldwide.

With inputs from WAM