UAE urges global leaders to prioritise water security at December Abu Dhabi summit

The United Arab Emirates has called on international leaders to participate in the UN Water Conference scheduled for December in Abu Dhabi, describing the event as a decisive moment for addressing the worldwide water crisis.

Diplomatic briefing highlights urgency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened its second diplomatic briefing for ambassadors, deputy chiefs of mission and representatives of international organisations at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The session, held ahead of the conference co-hosted with Senegal from 8 to 10 December, drew 180 attendees, up from 150 at the first briefing in May.

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, led the briefing. He stressed the need for immediate collective action, stating that water security is “fundamental to national security, economic prosperity, and sustainable development” and that progress toward universal access remains “far too slow.”

“We cannot afford to approach this challenge with business as usual,” Mr Balalaa said. “The 2026 UN Water Conference must be a turning point – bringing member states together to commit to action, mobilise investment, forge partnerships, and accelerate solutions that deliver results on the ground.”

He added: “We call on the world to come to Abu Dhabi to collaborate and act as we work together to translate collective ambition into measurable progress for people, economies, and sustainable development.”

Only third UN water conference in half a century

The conference, to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, marks only the third UN Water Conference in 50 years. It will be the first dedicated to accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation.

The three-day programme is structured around three themes: Water for Shared Prosperity, Investments for Lives and Livelihoods, and Resilient Future Together.

First dedicated financing dialogue

Six interactive dialogues, adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly, will anchor the formal programme. These cover water and sanitation, climate resilience, international co-operation and financing. For the first time at a UN Water Conference, one dialogue will focus entirely on investment and financing.

Alongside the formal Blue Zone programme, the UAE will host the Oasis, an open venue that brings together government officials, business leaders, investors, innovators, civil society groups and young people.

Country pavilions and exhibition spaces will allow nations and organisations to present solutions, showcase technologies and build partnerships aimed at turning political commitments into measurable progress on the ground.