The key facts
- The UN Water Conference will be held in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, co-hosted by Senegal.
- The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs held its second diplomatic briefing, gathering 180 representatives compared to 150 at the first session in May.
- For the first time in the history of the UN Water Conference, a dedicated dialogue on investments and financing will be included.
Call to leaders and growth in preparatory participation
The United Arab Emirates has called on world leaders to travel to Abu Dhabi in December for the UN Water Conference, describing it as a critical turning point in addressing the global water crisis. As reported by The National, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs held its second diplomatic briefing for ambassadors, deputy heads of missions, and representatives of international organizations at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy on Friday, ahead of the conference co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal from December 8 to 10.
What the organizers state
The briefing was led by Abdullah Balala, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainable Development. According to the publication, 180 representatives attended, compared to 150 at the first session in May, indicating an expansion of preparations for the forum. Balala stated that water security is 'fundamental to national security, economic prosperity, and sustainable development,' while progress toward universal access remains 'too slow.' 'We cannot afford to approach this challenge with a business-as-usual mindset,' he said. 'The 2026 UN Water Conference must become a turning point.' He added that the world must come to Abu Dhabi to 'turn collective ambitions into measurable progress.'
Conference format and new elements
The conference will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and will be only the third UN Water Conference in 50 years, and the first dedicated to accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6—universal access to safe water and sanitation. The three-day program is built around the themes 'Water for Shared Prosperity,' 'Investments for Lives and Livelihoods,' and 'Sustainable Future Together.' The formal agenda will feature six interactive dialogues adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly, covering water supply and sanitation, climate resilience, international cooperation, and financing. Notably, one dialogue is entirely dedicated to investments and financing—a first for a UN Water Conference. In addition to the official 'Blue Zone,' the UAE is organizing the Oasis platform, open to officials, businesses, investors, innovators, civil society groups, and youth, as well as country pavilions to showcase solutions and technologies.
