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The 2026 United Nations Water Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 8 to 10 December 2026.
The Conference will focus on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The event will be co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal.
Water at the heart of sustainable development
Water is fundamental to all forms of life and is closely linked to virtually every aspect of sustainable development, including health, food and energy security, economic growth, ecosystem protection, as well as peace and security.
At the same time, the world continues to face growing challenges related to water scarcity, rising demand, climate change and the sustainable management of water resources.
Current estimates indicate that global investment needs for water infrastructure and water security could reach US$6.7 trillion by 2030.
A history of UN water conferences
The first United Nations conference dedicated to water was held in 1977 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
The next major UN Water Conference took place in New York from 22 to 24 March 2023. It was co-hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Tajikistan and focused on accelerating action towards SDG 6 and other internationally agreed water-related goals and targets.
The 2026 Conference in Abu Dhabi will represent the next major step in the global water agenda.
Who will participate?
The Conference is expected to bring together high-level representatives, including heads of state and government, senior officials, leaders of international organizations and multilateral development banks, business executives and representatives of the private sector.
Representatives of non-governmental organizations, civil society, youth, experts and other stakeholders are also expected to participate.
Six interactive dialogues
The 2026 UN Water Conference will feature six interactive dialogues focusing on practical solutions, innovative approaches and opportunities for cooperation to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6.
Water for People
Discussions will focus on the human rights to water and sanitation, access to safe and affordable water services, and addressing the needs of people in vulnerable situations.
Water for Prosperity
This dialogue will address integrated and sustainable water resources management, the water-energy-food nexus, water-use efficiency, wastewater management, and the links between water and economic and social development.
Water for Planet
The discussions will examine the links between water and climate change, biodiversity, desertification, the environment, resilience and disaster risk reduction.
Water for Cooperation
This dialogue will focus on transboundary and international water cooperation, scientific cooperation and inclusive governance mechanisms.
Water in Multilateral Processes
The role of water in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and beyond, as well as global water initiatives, will be discussed.
Investments in Water
Financing, technology and innovation, as well as capacity-building, will be addressed as key elements for accelerating sustainable development and strengthening the water sector.
According to the United Nations, the six interactive dialogues will form a central part of the Conference and are intended to help translate global commitments on water and sanitation into practical action.
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