Water has always shaped the fortunes of nations. It underpins economic growth, supports food security, drives industrial development, and sustains communities. As climate pressures intensify and demand continues to rise, ensuring reliable access to water has become one of the defining challenges of our time.

For the United Arab Emirates, water resilience is not simply an environmental priority. It is a strategic imperative and a central pillar of our approach to sustainable development. Having transformed a largely arid landscape into a modern, globally connected economy, the UAE understands both the challenges and opportunities associated with managing scarce natural resources. This experience has reinforced a simple belief: long-term resilience is built through innovation, investment, and international cooperation.

It is in this spirit that the UAE will co‑host the United Nations Water Conference alongside the Republic of Senegal from 8 to 10 December 2026. The Conference will provide an important platform to mobilize partnerships, accelerate implementation, and advance progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All. Building on the momentum generated by the 2023 Conference and the outcomes of COP28, the UAE is committed to supporting practical, solution-oriented cooperation that delivers tangible results for communities around the world.

This same philosophy guides the UAE's broader sustainability agenda. From investing in advanced desalination technologies and water reuse systems to supporting innovation, research, and climate-resilient infrastructure, the UAE has sought to develop practical solutions that can contribute to greater water security both at home and internationally. This message was further reinforced at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, held under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go’, where governments, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector came together to advance integrated approaches across energy, water, food, finance, technology, and nature.

At the national level, initiatives such as the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 are helping to drive greater efficiency, increase water reuse, and strengthen long-term resilience. At the same time, the UAE continues to invest in next-generation technologies and infrastructure, including some of the world's most advanced desalination facilities powered by clean energy. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to integrating innovation, sustainability, and resource management as part of a comprehensive approach to development.

The UAE is also extending this approach internationally through initiatives that support innovation, financing, and access to safe water. The Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, launched in 2026, aims to mobilize USD 2 billion to support sustainable and innovative water solutions, including a USD 1 billion commitment from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative is advancing scientific research and breakthrough technologies through programmes such as the XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition and the Al Miyah Challenge, delivered in partnership with ADAFSA, ASPIRE, and Silal, while also strengthening cooperation with international partners including the World Bank and China’s Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization. Together, these initiatives are helping to accelerate the deployment of new technologies, mobilize investment, and advance practical solutions to global water challenges, complemented by humanitarian and development programmes that continue to expand access to clean and safe water for communities around the world.

These efforts are reinforced by the Mohamed bin Rashid Global Water Award, which promotes renewable-energy-powered desalination and purification technologies, and by UAE Water Aid (Suqia), which has provided clean and safe water to more than 14 million people in 37 countries since 2015 through more than 1,000 sustainable water projects. In parallel, Clean Rivers, an initiative of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, is supporting efforts to address riverine waste pollution and develop investment-ready waste and river restoration programmes in several countries.

These initiatives reflect the UAE’s long‑term strategy to integrate renewable energy, advanced membrane technologies, and circular‑water systems into national water management.

Beyond technology and investment, the UAE recognizes that water security is fundamentally a shared challenge that requires collective action. Effective water governance, regional cooperation, and long-term planning are becoming increasingly important as countries seek to adapt to climate change, population growth, and evolving development needs. This is why water diplomacy has become an important element of the UAE's international engagement and why we continue to advocate for partnerships that bring together governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. These priorities are particularly relevant to Central Asia, a region where water plays a critical role in supporting economic development, agriculture, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Water resources have long connected the countries of the region, creating opportunities for cooperation while underscoring the importance of effective management and shared responsibility.

The UAE greatly values its growing partnership with Turkmenistan and its broader engagement across Central Asia. Our cooperation is founded on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common commitment to sustainable development. As economic ties continue to deepen, there is significant potential to expand collaboration in areas such as water management, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and technological innovation.

By sharing expertise, encouraging investment, and supporting the deployment of practical solutions, we can help strengthen resilience while creating new opportunities for growth and prosperity. The UAE's experience demonstrates that ambitious development and responsible resource management can go hand in hand. Through cooperation and innovation, challenges can be transformed into opportunities that benefit both current and future generations.

As preparations continue for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, the UAE looks forward to working closely with Turkmenistan, regional partners, the United Nations, and the wider international community to advance a practical and action-oriented agenda for water resilience.

Water is one of humanity's most precious resources. It sustains communities, supports economies, and shapes the future of nations. By strengthening partnerships, investing in innovation, and advancing sustainable water management, we can build a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future for our regions and for the world.

Ahmed Al Hameli,

Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Turkmenistan