UAE Advances Preparations for 2026 UN Water Conference at Dushanbe Water Forum
Dushanbe, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates has intensified preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference by participating in the 4th Dushanbe Water Conference, held from May 25 to 28 in Tajikistan, as part of ongoing international efforts to strengthen the global water agenda.
The 2026 UN Water Conference will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, 2026, and is expected to serve as a key platform for advancing global cooperation on water security and sustainable development.
The Dushanbe conference brought together more than 2,000 participants from over 110 countries and international organizations, providing an important opportunity for governments, experts, and stakeholders to discuss pressing water-related challenges and solutions.
As part of its participation, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-organized by the Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The meeting gathered more than 100 delegates to consolidate regional perspectives and accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
The UAE also took part in the High-Level Africa Water Forum, where discussions on the Africa Water Vision 2063 were linked to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. The engagement highlighted the importance of ensuring that regional priorities, commitments, and initiatives are reflected in global water governance processes.
Throughout the conference, the UAE participated in a series of discussions aligned with the six themes of the Interactive Dialogues planned for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Working closely with Senegal, UAE representatives engaged with appointed co-chairs, member states, and stakeholders to promote action-oriented outcomes and support upcoming international milestones, including the High-Level Political Forum scheduled for July, where progress on SDG 6 will be reviewed.
On the final day of the conference, the UAE joined consultations related to the 2028 UN Water Conference, which will be hosted by Tajikistan. UAE representatives emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity across global water initiatives and building upon the outcomes of preparations leading to the 2026 conference.
The UAE also underscored the significance of the Interactive Dialogue themes adopted by consensus at the United Nations General Assembly as a framework for strengthening international cooperation, coordination, and implementation on water-related issues.
In addition, UAE officials held bilateral meetings with key partners, including the Government of Tajikistan, to enhance coordination among global water processes and ensure that the 2026 UN Water Conference contributes to long-term international efforts extending beyond 2028.
The UAE further engaged with the International Advisory Committee of the Dushanbe Water Process to help align the conference declaration with the objectives and ambitions of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The engagements reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to fostering international collaboration on water security and ensuring greater coherence, continuity, and impact across global water initiatives in the lead-up to the 2026 UN Water Conference and beyond.
