UAE, Senegal Leaders Discuss Water Priorities Ahead of 2026 UN Water Conference

The UAE President and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye have been working on the priorities for the upcoming UN water conference in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi.

The conference will be held from 8th to 10th December 2026 at ADNEC Exhibition Centre. It seeks to speed up efforts towards SDG 6 and the implementation of SDG 6.4, which are not being met.

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UAE-Senegal Partnership

The UAE and Senegal are bringing complementary views to the water agenda. The official framework of the conference focuses on the UAE’s priorities of water scarcity, water stewardship and innovation, and Senegal’s water access, sanitation and clean water.

The partnership is also the first ever UN Water Conference that is co-hosted by two countries from the Global South. This will be the third UN Water Conference since 1977, and will give extra significance to the December event.

Turning Water Commitments Into Action

The Abu Dhabi conference will not only be a venue for discussion but also for action, in particular investment, partnerships, technology and policy solutions.

The official programme features six Interactive Dialogues on Water for People, Water for Prosperity, Water for Planet, Water for Cooperation, Water in Multilateral Processes and Investments for Water.

These discussions aim at bringing together governments, international organisations, financial institutions, companies, civil society and other stakeholders to practical solutions to water security.

Addressing Water Access and Climate Pressure

Access to safe water and sanitation access is still a big development issue and is not equally shared. 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water and 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation services, according to the UN estimates. Population growth and a greater demand are placing additional pressure as well as climate change.

In this context, the UAE-Senegal partnership prioritizes water security in the context of broader development aspects, such as health, economic development, environmental resilience and sustainable management of water resources.

Abu Dhabi Prepares for December Summit

The UAE and Senegal hope the conference will help bring forth tangible commitments, forge new ties and unlock investments for water-related solutions.

The Oasis hosted by the UAE will be a space for innovators and other parties such as policy makers and investors, while the UN-led Blue Zone will host the official programme and interactive dialogues.

The December summit is expected to raise the global water security agenda and provide a forum for water security government action, as well as for the wider community.