H.E. Abdulla Balalaa Calls for Greater Investment, Implementation and Partnership to Accelerate Global Water Action

During a media briefing held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, outlined the priorities shaping the road to the 2026 UN Water Conference and called for greater focus on implementation, investment and partnership to accelerate action on water.

H.E. Balalaa highlighted the scale of the global water challenge and the need for governments, financial institutions, the private sector, technology owners, entrepreneurs and innovators to work together to accelerate implementation. He pointed to the significant financing gap facing the water sector and emphasised the importance of creating the right conditions to unlock capital.

He also highlighted the role of technology in addressing water challenges, including in water generation and transmission, and said the UAE wants technology owners, entrepreneurs and innovators to come to Abu Dhabi in December to showcase solutions and connect with stakeholders who can help support their deployment.

H.E. Balalaa emphasised the need to move from dialogue to delivery and reiterated that the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December, will place a strong focus on implementation and practical action.

For more information on the 2026 UN Water Conference, visit the official Conference website.

In December 2026, the world will gather in Abu Dhabi for the 2026 UN Water Conference.