UAE Leads Global Efforts on Water Sustainability at COP29 in Preparation for UN 2026 Water Conference

 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a global leader in addressing water sustainability and its critical connection to climate action. At COP29, the UAE’s delegation, led by His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, engaged in a series of high-profile discussions and initiatives that underscore the nation’s commitment to advancing water issues on the international agenda. These efforts also serve as a prelude to the UAE’s hosting of the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Setting the Stage for the UN 2026 Water Conference

At COP29’s Food, Agriculture, and Water Day, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a pivotal session to preview the UN 2026 Water Conference. This session highlighted the UAE’s vision for the conference, which centers on enhancing water's prominence in global sustainability frameworks. Key focus areas included:

• Strengthening water’s role within the three Rio conventions: biodiversity, desertification, and climate change.
• Encouraging a cross-sectoral approach to accelerate efforts in water management and sustainability.

The session was co-chaired by H.E. Abdulla Balalaa and H.E. Daouda Ngom, Senegal’s Minister of the Environment and Ecological Transition. It brought together a diverse range of global leaders and experts, including María Fernanda Espinosa, former UN General Assembly President, Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

During the session, H.E. Balalaa stated:
"Through the UN 2026 Water Conference, the UAE aims to raise ambition, reimagine ways of working, and collaboratively identify innovative solutions and impactful outcomes that will move the needle on Sustainable Development Goal 6."

Collaborative Dialogues and Initiatives

The UAE's engagements at COP29 extended beyond formal sessions to include:

1. Informal Consultations with Non-State Actors: These consultations focused on exploring potential themes for the interactive dialogues of the UN 2026 Water Conference, ensuring a broad spectrum of perspectives.
2. Roundtable Discussions with Key Stakeholders: Private sector representatives, philanthropies, and non-governmental organizations were convened to discuss barriers to water investment and identify pathways for impactful solutions.

The UAE also spotlighted the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZWI) as a catalyst for addressing global water scarcity, showcasing innovative approaches that bridge water and climate challenges.

UAE’s Role in Global Water Leadership

Continuing its legacy from COP28, which brought unprecedented attention to water within the climate agenda, the UAE reaffirmed its leadership in this critical area through key actions at COP29:

• Keynote Address at the Water for Climate Pavilion: H.E. Balalaa delivered a keynote address during the inauguration of the pavilion, which featured prominent global figures such as H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, and the UN Special Envoy for Water.
• Endorsement of the COP29 Water for Climate Action Declaration: This declaration emphasized the importance of integrating water into climate action plans.
• Participation in the Launch of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action: This mechanism ensures continuity in water-related discussions and actions across successive COPs, ultimately leading to the UN 2026 Water Conference.

At the Baku Dialogue launch, H.E. Balalaa remarked:
"Positioning water at the center of climate action is crucial for driving meaningful outcomes. We must ensure that the momentum built at COP29 carries forward to the UN 2026 Water Conference."

Global Collaboration for Sustainable Water Solutions

The UAE’s efforts at COP29 reflect a deep commitment to global collaboration and innovation in water management. The nation engaged with a wide array of stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and academic institutions. These partnerships aim to:

• Develop sustainable solutions for water scarcity and quality.
• Promote investment in water technologies and infrastructure.
• Strengthen resilience to climate-induced water challenges.

Looking Ahead to the UN 2026 Water Conference

As the host of the UN 2026 Water Conference, the UAE is poised to lead transformative global discussions on water sustainability. By building on the momentum of COP29 and leveraging its extensive experience in climate and sustainability initiatives, the UAE is committed to delivering impactful outcomes that address water-related challenges worldwide.

The UAE’s active role at COP29 underscores its leadership in placing water at the forefront of global climate and sustainability agendas, offering a roadmap for collaborative, innovative, and sustainable solutions to one of the world’s most pressing challenges.