UAE and Senegal to Co-Host 2026 UN Water Conference
- The Earth & I Editorial Team
- Aug 20
- 2 min read
Gathering to Boost Progress in Meeting UN Goals of ‘Clean Water, Sanitation for All’
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Senegal are set to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, scheduled for December 2–4, 2026, in the UAE. This pivotal event aims to accelerate progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, and 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation services.
Preparatory Efforts and Stakeholder Engagement
Preparations for the conference have been underway since 2024, with the UAE and Senegal leading a consultation process involving governments, international organizations, civil society leaders, NGOs, the private sector, and academia.
A significant milestone was the organizational session held on March 3, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York, where conference stakeholders worked on details for the event. Then, in July 2025, a high-level preparatory meeting, convened by the president of the UN General Assembly, led to the formal adoption of the six interactive dialogue themes by consensus. These themes are:
Water for People
Water for Prosperity
Water for Planet
Water for Cooperation
Investments for Water
Conference dialogues will use these themes to discuss global water challenges and how to achieve SDG 6 goals.
Rights and Inclusivity
The UAE has emphasized that ensuring equitable access to water is not only a development priority but a fundamental human right. During a high-level discussion panel at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to advancing human rights to water and sanitation. The country highlighted its leadership in expanding access to clean water through national strategies and international development initiatives, including the “UAE Water Security Strategy 2036” and the “Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.”
Looking Ahead
The preparatory process will culminate in a high-level international meeting in Dakar, Senegal, in January 2026, to assess progress on SDG 6.
His Excellency Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, said in a statement addressing the significance of the 2026 UN conference: “Water connects us all, and our actions must reflect that shared responsibility.” He added, “This Conference is our moment to course-correct—to set the world on a pathway of accelerated, coordinated, and sustained water action.”
For more information, visit the official conference website: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2026.