The United Arab Emirates and members of the diplomatic corps in South Africa have reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation on water security as preparations gather pace for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December 2026.
The UAE Embassy in the Republic of South Africa, in partnership with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), convened a consultative meeting in Pretoria that brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats, representatives of international organisations and development partners to exchange views on the Conference’s objectives, priorities and preparatory process.
Opening the meeting, UAE Ambassador to South Africa Mahash Saeed AlHameli reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to advancing global water action, strengthening international cooperation and promoting practical and sustainable solutions to water-related challenges.
AlHameli emphasised the essential role of water in supporting life, sustainable development and economic prosperity, while underscoring the need for collective international action to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6.
He also highlighted the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision established water conservation and sustainable resource management as national priorities. Today, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE continues to build on this legacy through investments in innovation, desalination technologies, water efficiency and sustainable resource management.
The consultation also reflected the broader strategic partnership between the UAE and South Africa, with discussions reinforcing the importance of international collaboration to address shared development challenges and advance sustainable solutions across the African continent.
Highlighting the strength of the bilateral relationship, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi has previously said: “The resilience of the UAE-South Africa economic relationship reflects a concerted effort from both sides to expand the scale and scope of collaboration. South Africa is now our second-largest trading partner in Africa and bilateral non-oil trade continues to show exponential growth, while there has been considerable investment into the country’s logistics, renewable energy and real estate sectors. These projects, as with all our investments, are designed for mutual, long-term benefit – and to withstand short-term disruption. They are not conditioned on momentary geopolitical events.”
The programme featured presentations by the Institute for Security Studies on global water trends, risks and opportunities, as well as water security and sustainable development in Africa.
Experts from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs involved in preparations for the Conference also briefed participants on the Conference’s mandate, objectives, thematic priorities, preparatory process and opportunities for stakeholder engagement.
The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion, allowing participants to exchange perspectives and contribute ideas in support of an inclusive and action-oriented preparatory process.
The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with partners across Africa and the wider international community to advance an inclusive and action-oriented preparatory process for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, strengthen international cooperation on water, accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6, and contribute to sustainable development for all.
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Author: Lebina Ditha from Global Adviisors on behalf of MoFA.
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