UAE .. global leadership in integrated water resources management

The UAE has achieved positive results in the integrated water resources management index, by ensuring compatibility and complementarity between water, energy, environment and food strategies.

This comes in light of the UAE’s readiness to host the United Nations Water Conference 2026, in cooperation with the Republic of Senegal, and aims to accelerate the achievement of the sixth goal of sustainable development goals, and to enhance efforts to ensure sustainable water resources management, and the water security strategy is 2036 – prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, with the participation of departments, bodies and water concerned authorities in the country – a basic pillar to enhance the state leadership in This vital field, aims to ensure sustainability and continuity of water access during natural conditions and emergency situations; The strategy contributes to achieving the prosperity and prosperity of society and the sustainability of the growth of the national economy.

The water security strategy was prepared according to a comprehensive national perspective to cover all elements of the water supply chain, including traditional and unconventional water sources, and it includes three work programs: “Water Supply Management Program”, which works to provide future water needs in a more sustainable way, by expanding the use of desalination technologies with membranes and the use of renewable energy sources, expanding the re -use of treated wastewater and enhancing rainfall And surface water; And the “Water Dip” program that seeks to enhance environmental and economic sustainability in water consumption, support existing efforts in the country to reduce the rates of losses from the water network, and rationalize the consumption of the individual to reduce the demand for desalinated water, in addition to raising the efficiency of water use in agriculture and relieving pressure on groundwater sources.

The strategy also includes a “water production program” that aims to coordinate and integrate between water circles, bodies and companies in the country to ensure effective prevention and response to water emergency situations at the national level, by strengthening the inter -network interconnection system and increasing storage storage capacities in line with demand, operational needs and emergency requirements.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in cooperation and coordination with the departments, bodies and companies of water, worked to update the inputs of the water security strategy, and this included updating the expected demand for water until 2036, in addition to updating the mixture of desalination technologies used in line with the goals of the energy strategy 2050, and the goals of the Emirates Climate Neutral initiative by 2050.

The assistant undersecretary for the electricity, water and future energy sector, in the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Eng. Ahmed Al -Kaabi, said that the total complex production capacity existing for desalination plants in the country is equivalent to 8.4 million cubic meters per day (1855 million gallons per day), noting that during the past year, 1.85 billion cubic meters (407 thousand and 718 million gallons per year) has been produced, while the state is currently being established at the state level A group of projects of seawater desalination plants are planned through departments, bodies and electricity and water companies.

He added that the Energy Department in Abu Dhabi and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company are currently working to create a group of new desalination plants in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in the areas of the port, grills, the Saadiyat and the Haddaiyyat, works with reverse osmosis technology that is one of the best modern practices in water desalination technology, and with a total production capacity of 1.32 million cubic meters (290 million gallons) per day.

He pointed out that the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is currently working to create a “pebble” desalination plant that works with the reverse osmosis technology, with a production capacity of 0.82 million cubic meters (180 million gallons) per day, and the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority works on the project to increase the existing productive capacity of the Hamriyah station, adding 0.41 million cubic meters (90 million gallons) per day.

Al -Kaabi stressed that these projects will completely lead to the end of 2027 to raise the total complex production capacity of desalination stations in the country by 30%, and with high efficiency technologies in the use of energy and low carbon emissions, which reflects an integrated strategic approach to enhancing water security, through investing in energy and water infrastructure and proactive planning to reach fresh water, and ensuring the sustainability of resources Water.