UAE Advances Global Water Cooperation at Geneva Meetings

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, led the UAE’s participation in high-level engagements in Geneva focused on water, climate resilience, and peacebuilding. These meetings are part of the UAE’s preparations to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The engagements highlight the UAE’s commitment to multilateral collaboration and sustainable development.

On 16th October, Balalaa joined a high-level panel titled “Rebooting the International Peacebuilding System: A Call for Hydro Diplomacy” during the 12th Geneva Peace Week. The session brought together senior international stakeholders to explore how water cooperation can promote peace, stability, and multilateral reform. Balalaa stressed that water diplomacy is essential for regional and international collaboration.

During his panel intervention, Balalaa noted, “Discussing water during a Peace Week, rather than a Water Week, sends a powerful message that water lies at the heart of peace and cooperation.” His remarks underscored the UAE’s commitment to linking humanitarian, environmental, and development initiatives through water diplomacy to prevent crises and build resilience.

As part of his Geneva visit, Balalaa held bilateral meetings with key international figures in the water and climate sectors. These included Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal; Kamal Kishore, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction; Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary-General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; and Prof. Mark Zeitoun, Director-General of the Geneva Water Hub. Discussions focused on cooperation on shared water resources and building practical contributions to the 2026 UN Water Conference.

On 17th October, Balalaa chaired a UAE-led roundtable with Geneva-based experts to advance preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. The discussion aimed to leverage Geneva’s expertise to identify practical contributions, strengthen partnerships, and foster inclusive, action-oriented dialogue. Outcomes from the roundtable will feed into the conference’s preparatory process through the forthcoming “Geneva Inputs to 2026” summary.

Balalaa highlighted that water diplomacy is a form of peace diplomacy, linking humanitarian, development, and water-sector actions to prevent crises and enhance resilience. He added that Geneva’s ecosystem of humanitarian, environmental, and peacebuilding institutions provides an ideal platform to translate water policy into real-world impact.

Through these initiatives, the UAE continues to advance its global leadership in water security, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development. By engaging international stakeholders and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, the UAE aims to drive collective action ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, ensuring inclusive and transformative global water solutions.