The United Arab Emirates is calling on global leaders to join the UN Water Conference scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in December. The UAE emphasizes that this conference is a vital chance to address the ongoing global water crisis.
Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted its second diplomatic briefing for ambassadors, deputy chiefs of mission, and representatives from international organizations. This meeting was held at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and aimed to prepare for the conference, which the UAE is co-hosting with Senegal from December 8-10.
The briefing saw an increase in attendance, with 180 representatives present, compared to 150 at the previous session held in May. Abdulla Balalaa, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, led the session. He stressed the importance of immediate collective action, stating that water security is crucial for national security, economic growth, and sustainable development. He highlighted that progress toward universal access to clean water is currently moving too slowly.
“We can’t tackle this problem with our usual methods,” he said. “The 2026 UN Water Conference needs to be a pivotal moment—bringing countries together to commit to action, gather investments, build partnerships, and fast-track solutions that generate real-world outcomes.”
Balalaa urged global leaders to come to Abu Dhabi to collaborate and work towards turning shared goals into significant advancements that will benefit people, economies, and sustainable growth.
Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, this conference will be only the third UN Water Conference in the past 50 years and marks the first event focused on accelerating that Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims for worldwide access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
The three-day event will center around themes such as Water for Shared Prosperity, Investments for Lives and Livelihoods, and a Resilient Future Together. The formal agenda includes six interactive dialogues that were established by consensus at the UN General Assembly. These dialogues will cover topics including water and sanitation, climate resilience, international cooperation, and financing. One of the notable dialogues will be dedicated to investments and financing, a first for a UN Water Conference.
In addition to the formal program, the UAE will set up the Oasis – an open space aimed at bringing together government officials, business leaders, investors, innovators, community groups, and youth. This area will include country pavilions and exhibition spaces where nations and organizations can present their solutions, showcase new technologies, and create partnerships designed to transform political promises into real progress.
