The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its commitment to global water security through technological innovation, sustainable financing, and strategic partnerships, according to a statement released on World Water Day. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized that these tools are essential for transforming water sector challenges into real opportunities for growth and alleviating human suffering while ensuring global water security.
The minister highlighted that this approach reflects the UAE’s dedication under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to spearhead effective global efforts for water resource sustainability. The nation aims to enable populations worldwide to access their fundamental right to clean water consistently.
Water Access and Global Water Security Disparities
Minister Al Dahak noted that this year’s World Water Day theme underscores a reality that cannot be ignored. According to recent international reports, 2.1 billion people globally lack access to clean drinking water near their homes. Additionally, women and girls in many countries spend approximately 250 million hours daily collecting and transporting water, time that could otherwise be invested in education, employment, and community development.
The statistics reveal that more than one billion women lack access to safe water services, while 380 million women live in areas experiencing severe water stress. The minister stated that the UAE views these figures as an urgent call for serious action, believing that technological innovation and sustainable financing are the true solutions to lifting this burden from the most affected communities and groups.
Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative Leads Global Efforts
Minister Al Dahak highlighted that the UAE has undertaken leadership of international efforts to address water scarcity at both local and global levels. This commitment is clearly embodied in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which positions the Emirates at the forefront of international cooperation to develop sustainable water technologies serving humanity.
The initiative, launched to address global water scarcity, reflects the nation’s firm commitment to transforming challenges into tangible solutions. This dedication has been translated through the allocation of $150 million to solve water scarcity problems, manifested in the launch of the XPRIZE for water scarcity reduction with prizes totaling $119 million to develop effective solutions for enhancing seawater desalination efficiency and reducing costs.
Clean Rivers and Environmental Initiatives
The minister explained that UAE efforts extend beyond technological innovation to include vital environmental initiatives on the ground. The nation leads global efforts through the Clean Rivers Initiative to address water pollution and waste challenges. This initiative operates effectively in several countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines, to enhance local community resilience and ensure the sustainability of rivers and natural water sources as essential lifelines.
These programs translate the UAE’s genuine commitment to creating positive and tangible impact that alleviates suffering for populations. Meanwhile, the initiatives demonstrate how strategic partnerships can deliver measurable results in water conservation and quality improvement.
National Water Security Strategy 2036
On the domestic front, Minister Al Dahak confirmed that the UAE presents a pioneering model in integrated water resource management through the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. The strategy aims to reduce total demand for water resources by 21 percent and increase the reuse rate of treated water to 95 percent, alongside focusing on rationalizing water consumption and developing natural sources.
The minister added that the nation adopts the latest environmentally friendly technological solutions to ensure water supply sustainability. These include expanding the use of sustainable reverse osmosis technologies in desalination plants, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing production efficiency to meet growing demand and support comprehensive development in the country.
Water-Energy-Food Nexus Approach
Minister Al Dahak emphasized that sustainable water management cannot be separated from the agriculture and energy sectors. She noted that rationalizing water consumption in agriculture represents a national and global priority. The minister stated that the UAE has recognized the fundamental interconnection between energy, water, and food, consistently advocating for an integrated framework where energy and water security directly contribute to enhancing global water and food security alongside natural system sustainability.
In contrast to fragmented approaches, this holistic perspective addresses the complex relationships between these critical sectors. However, implementation requires coordinated action across government agencies and private sector partners.
Impact Forum for Sustainability
The minister discussed the UAE’s pivotal role in mobilizing international efforts, recently crystallized in the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s launch of the Impact Forum for Sustainability during the World Government Summit 2026. The forum operated under the theme “Partnerships for Sustainable Water,” reflecting collective commitment and reinforcing the UAE approach of transforming water challenges into strategic cooperation opportunities.
Minister Al Dahak emphasized that cooperation among governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations is essential for providing fair, equitable, and sustainable solutions in the water sector. Additionally, the forum demonstrated how collaborative frameworks can accelerate progress toward universal water access.
The UAE will co-host the United Nations Water Conference 2026 with Senegal in December, according to Minister Al Dahak. The conference will represent a critical global platform for transitioning from pledges to actual implementation, accelerating global efforts to ensure universal access to safe water and directing investments toward infrastructure projects and major environmental initiatives.
