UAE and Senegal Lead Discussions at Cairo Water Week for UN 2026 Water Conference
The 7th Cairo Water Week, held alongside the 9th Africa Water Week from October 13th to 17th, was a significant event for the UAE and Senegal as they prepared for the UN 2026 Water Conference. The UAE engaged with African and international stakeholders to ensure an inclusive preparatory process, emphasizing the transition from commitments to implementation to advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
High-Level Session on UN 2026 Water Conference
A key session, co-organized by Egypt, Senegal, and the UAE, titled “Aspirations for the UN 2026 Water Conference,” featured ministers from Iraq, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa, along with representatives from Japan, the Netherlands, and the European Union. Non-state actors, including UN entities, NGOs, and the private sector, also participated. Shaima Gargash, UAE Director of Energy and Sustainability Affairs, highlighted the conference as a chance to innovate and position water as a key driver for sustainable development.
Commitments from Senegal and South Africa
Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, stressed the importance of collective engagement for global water ambitions. Senegal plans to host a high-level preparatory meeting in Dakar in 2025. Pemmy Majodina, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, announced the AU-Africa Water Investment Summit in 2025, aligning with the G20 Presidency.
UAE’s Initiatives and Participation
The UAE participated in sessions on water and climate interlinkages, highlighting COP28’s role in the climate agenda. The UAE also focused on desalination technology through the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative, partnering with XPRIZE with a USD 150 million investment for the Water Scarcity competition.
The Cairo Water Week, organized by Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, focused on “Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities.” This year, it was held jointly with the 9th Africa Water Week.
Doubts Revealed
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, which is a country in the Middle East known for its modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Senegal -: Senegal is a country in West Africa, known for its rich culture and history. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean.
Cairo Water Week -: Cairo Water Week is an event held in Cairo, Egypt, where people from different countries come together to talk about water issues and solutions.
UN 2026 Water Conference -: The UN 2026 Water Conference is a future event organized by the United Nations to discuss global water challenges and find ways to solve them.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 -: Sustainable Development Goal 6 is one of the goals set by the United Nations to ensure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
Desalination -: Desalination is a process that removes salt from seawater to make it drinkable. It is important for countries with limited fresh water sources.
Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative -: The Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative is a project by the UAE to find new ways to provide clean water, named after a leader in the UAE.
