The UAE mobilizes the efforts of the UNESCO Water Community and launches initiatives for global youth

The UAE has affirmed its firm commitment to supporting international cooperation in the field of water, enhancing the role of science in policy formulation, and empowering youth leadership, as part of the preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which it will host in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, and which is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi during the period from 8 to 10 December 2026.

The UAE, under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in coordination with national partners, participated in the twenty-seventh regular session of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program (IHP) Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, where it launched a number of initiatives with the aim of mobilizing the efforts of the international water community and building momentum ahead of the conference.

Assistant Secretary of State for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, who is leading the country’s efforts at the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, Abdullah Al-Alaa, stressed the importance of benefiting from the preparatory path towards the Abu Dhabi Conference by strengthening partnerships, supporting youth participation, and accelerating efforts to achieve the sixth goal of the sustainable development goals.

Balalaa said: “The support provided to the pioneering initiative “Youth4Water” represents an important step in enhancing youth participation within the global water agenda. These initiatives contribute to building momentum, supporting partnerships and enhancing confidence in a more comprehensive global water process based on effective efforts as part of the preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.”

In this context, the Permanent Representative of the UAE to UNESCO, Ali Al-Haj Al Ali, called on the Program Council, the organization’s water family and all member states to support the ongoing preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and contribute to achieving effective and realistic results.

He emphasized UNESCO’s distinguished role in mobilizing governments, institutions, second-category centres, UNESCO chairs, and national committees of the intergovernmental hydrological programme, in developing innovative solutions to global water challenges. He also praised the pivotal role played by UNESCO in shaping the interactive dialogue “Water for Cooperation”, which focuses on international cross-border cooperation in the field of water, including scientific cooperation and comprehensive governance, stressing the importance of science, knowledge sharing and comprehensive governance in supporting international cooperation on water.

Launching UNESCO’s first pioneering initiative dedicated to youth in the water sector
One of the main outcomes of the session was the official adoption of the “Youth4Water” initiative, which is the first pioneering initiative within the intergovernmental hydrological program dedicated to youth working in the water sector.

The UAE hosts this initiative, and it is chaired by Khalifa University of Science and Technology, while the Kingdom of the Netherlands presented it to the Council, and it was approved by the Program Council during its 27th session.

The initiative is based on three main axes that were identified during the first UNESCO Water Youth Dialogue in 2025, including:

Education and capacity building.

Professional opportunities and innovation.

Active participation of youth in water resources management.

The initiative is scheduled to be implemented during the period from 2026 to 2029 through centers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa region, and small island developing states, in a way that enhances youth participation in shaping the future of the global water sector.

Global Young Water Envoys Programme
In the context of enhancing youth participation in the global water agenda, the UAE announced the launch of the “Youth Global Water Envoys” programme, which aims to ensure the integration of youth experiences and visions in the various stages of preparation for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, and to contribute to supporting and implementing the “Youth for Water” initiative before, during and after the conference.

Commenting on the announcement, Ali Al Haj Al Ali said: “Youth are not only the pillars of the future, but they are active partners today in creating solutions, raising awareness of water issues, and making change. The Youth for Water Initiative and the Global Youth Water Envoys Program embody the UAE’s commitment to ensuring that youth leadership is at the heart of international efforts aimed at achieving a more sustainable water future.”

Dr. Ibrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “With increasing water challenges in different regions and sectors, Khalifa University is contributing to a global platform where science, policy and youth leadership meet. Through our cooperation with UNESCO, we are working to strengthen the interconnection between scientific discovery, international cooperation and future generations of leaders who will enhance water security in the future.”

The UAE concluded the session by calling on all member states and co-chairs of the interactive dialogues and the UNESCO Water Family to build partnerships, commitments and practical initiatives with real impact in support of the preparatory path towards the Abu Dhabi Conference, and to support the conference’s objectives in accelerating the application and achieving actual progress in the global water agenda.