Jakarta. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation is not only an objective in its own right, but also a foundational enabler of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the world enters the final five years of this global framework, there is an urgent need to accelerate investment, innovation, political commitment, and international solidarity to strengthen water resilience for all.

In this context, the 2026 United Nations Water Conference—co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal and scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December 2026—represents a defining milestone. The conference aims to translate global commitments into concrete action and to advance a water-resilient future for all.

Water can no longer be viewed as a peripheral development concern. It has become a central measure of global cooperation, resilience, and shared responsibility. In an era shaped by climate change, population growth, and increasing pressure on natural resources, water resilience lies at the heart of global stability and sustainable development.

The United Arab Emirates is working closely with international partners to build momentum toward the Conference. Building on the outcomes of the 2023 United Nations Water Conference in New York, the 2026 Conference will focus on accelerating the implementation of SDG 6 and advancing practical solutions that ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The urgency of the global water agenda is clear. Today, approximately 2.1 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while 2.4 billion live in water-stressed regions. At the same time, the global investment gap required to achieve water-related development targets is estimated at USD 6.7 trillion. These figures underscore a structural global challenge with profound implications for health, food security, economic development, and social equity.

The 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi seeks to move beyond awareness and toward implementation. It is envisioned as a turning point in global water governance, bringing together governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and youth to develop inclusive, scalable, and practical solutions.

Water has also become an increasingly important priority in global economic discussions. During the 2026 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, water featured prominently on the international agenda, reinforced by the launch of the World Bank Group’s Water Forward initiative. This initiative seeks to expand access to safe water for one billion people over the next four years, reflecting the growing recognition of water as both a fundamental human necessity and a strategic economic asset.

At the global level, the United Arab Emirates continues to champion innovative financing mechanisms, cross-sector partnerships, and technology-led solutions. Through initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, the UAE supports efforts to accelerate technological innovation, expand international cooperation, and mobilize investments to address global water scarcity. Earlier this year, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) launched the USD 2 billion Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, an ambitious initiative designed to address water scarcity, strengthen water systems, and improve water security worldwide with the aim of benefiting 10 million people by 2030.

Beyond international engagement, through the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, the country is working to reduce water demand, expand reuse, and strengthen strategic storage capacity.

This strategy is reinforced by innovation and technology, including advanced desalination powered by clean energy, artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems, smart water networks, and digital infrastructure designed to improve efficiency and reduce water losses. These efforts reflect a long-term commitment to sustainability through technological transformation.

Water, however, transcends national boundaries. It is a shared global resource that connects societies, economies, and ecosystems. The UAE’s approach is grounded in the conviction that water resilience can only be achieved through cooperation, innovation, and sustained international engagement.

As the world moves toward the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, the international community faces a pivotal opportunity. The Conference is not only a diplomatic milestone, but also a call to action—requiring renewed political will, stronger partnerships, and practical solutions commensurate with the scale of the global water challenges.

Water remains fundamental to life, prosperity, and stability. By addressing its challenges collectively, the international community can close critical gaps and build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all. 

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Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri is the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Indonesia and Timor-Leste (Non-Resident).