UAE Joins World Water Week To Promote Global Water Action

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

The United Arab Emirates took part in the 35th edition of World Water Week, held in Stockholm, Sweden. The UAE delegation was led by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability. Their participation shows the UAE’s strong commitment to supporting global water security and advancing sustainability goals.

The event provided an important platform for international leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss how water plays a central role in tackling today’s challenges. From climate change to food security, energy supply to human health, water is at the core of global resilience and sustainable development.

Focus On The 2026 UN Water Conference

The UAE’s participation in World Water Week is closely linked with its preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE will co-host with the Republic of Senegal. The conference will be one of the most important global gatherings dedicated to water and sanitation.

The UAE’s engagement reflects its strong commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. This commitment highlights the UAE’s role as a global partner in promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Theme: Water For Climate Action

This year’s World Water Week was organized under the theme “Water for Climate Action.” The discussions highlighted how water is deeply connected to building climate resilience, supporting food and energy security, and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.

The UAE delegation actively contributed to these conversations, ensuring that global dialogue on water also connected to the outcomes of COP28, hosted by the UAE in 2023. Water was recognized not only as a vital resource but also as a key factor in climate solutions.

UAE Introduces ‘Water For Planet’ Dialogue

During the opening ceremony, Abdulla Balalaa gave remarks that underlined the importance of international cooperation. He pointed out that all 193 UN Member States had agreed on six interactive dialogues that will guide the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Balalaa called this consensus a “watershed moment for multilateral water action.” These dialogues will provide a clear framework for global priorities, ensure accountability, and deliver practical solutions.

He proudly noted that the UAE introduced the interactive dialogue called “Water for Planet.” This dialogue focuses on the strong connection between water and climate. It aims to encourage countries to integrate water considerations into their national climate action plans, building on the progress made during COP28.

Preparations For The 2026 Conference

Abdulla Balalaa also explained the next steps in preparing for the 2026 UN Water Conference. He highlighted that the process to select two co-chairs for each of the six interactive dialogues had already begun.

Countries have been invited to express their interest by mid-October, and the final selection of co-chairs will be completed before the High-Level Preparatory Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, in January 2026. This careful preparation will ensure that the conference brings strong leadership and actionable outcomes.

Inclusive Approach To Global Dialogue

The UAE delegation emphasized its inclusive approach to shaping the 2026 Conference. The team engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, young people, and the private sector.

By working with such a diverse group, the UAE aims to ensure that the 2026 Conference reflects the voices and priorities of different communities, especially those most affected by water challenges. This inclusive model is central to the UAE’s strategy of building shared global responsibility for water security.

Key Issues Discussed

World Water Week featured many discussions on the urgent issues related to water. These included the humanitarian dimensions of water, the role of Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable communities, and the importance of engaging youth in global decision-making processes.

Other important topics included innovative financing methods for water projects and the need to integrate water issues into broader climate and biodiversity agendas. These discussions showed that water is not just a single issue but a cross-cutting theme that touches all parts of sustainable development.

Bilateral Meetings In Stockholm

On the sidelines of World Water Week, Abdulla Balalaa held a series of bilateral meetings with Swedish officials and institutions. These included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, the Swedish Energy Agency, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the Swedish Centre for Nuclear Technology (SKC), and the Secretariat for Polar and Arctic Affairs.

Balalaa also met Dr. Hani Sewilam, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, to discuss regional cooperation and common priorities in advancing water security across the Middle East and Africa. These meetings helped strengthen partnerships and build new areas of collaboration in sustainability, technology, and water management.

UAE And Sweden Strengthen Cooperation

The UAE delegation also included Ghasaq Shaheen, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden. She highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between the UAE and Sweden in areas like sustainability, water, and innovation.

This reflects the UAE’s broader strategy of building international partnerships to find practical solutions for global challenges. By working closely with Sweden and other countries, the UAE is helping to advance innovation and technology that will support water security worldwide.

Humanitarian And Youth Dimensions

The discussions also highlighted the humanitarian importance of water. Millions of people around the world still lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. World Water Week placed special focus on how global efforts can address these urgent needs.

Youth participation was another important theme. The UAE emphasized the role of young people in shaping the future of water and sustainability. By involving youth councils, students, and young innovators, the UAE ensures that future generations are equipped to continue building solutions for water security.

A Strong Global Commitment

The UAE’s active role in World Water Week 2025 demonstrates its unwavering commitment to global water security and sustainability. By co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference with Senegal, the UAE is positioning itself at the center of international efforts to protect and manage one of the world’s most vital resources.

The conference is expected to be a historic turning point, bringing together governments, institutions, and communities from around the world to accelerate water action and deliver lasting solutions.

Towards A Sustainable Water Future

The UAE’s leadership at World Water Week reflects its vision for a sustainable future where water is managed responsibly for the benefit of all. Through initiatives like the “Water for Planet” dialogue, inclusive global partnerships, and active preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, the UAE is playing a central role in shaping water action at the global level.

The UAE and Senegal aim to make the 2026 UN Water Conference a milestone in international cooperation. Their goal is to unite countries around shared responsibilities and accelerate progress on water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

By connecting water with climate, energy, food, and biodiversity, the UAE is helping to create a future where this precious resource supports life, stability, and prosperity for generations to come.

Global water security, Sustainable development goals