United Arab Emirates Stresses Importance of Human Rights at 2026 Water Conference
In line with the Human Rights Council Resolution 57/13, adopted in October 2024, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emphasized its commitment to water and sanitation as fundamental human rights. This commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level panel discussion at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The panel discussion aimed to integrate human rights into the lead-up to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which is co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. The dialogue themes for the conference are set to be officially adopted during a New York meeting, and the UAE will participate in the upcoming preparatory meeting on July 9.
Jamal Jama Al Musharakh, the UAE Permanent Representative, spoke at the panel discussion, highlighting the importance of inclusive planning for the conference. He emphasized the need to centre gender equality in the planning process, ensuring support for marginalized communities and promoting transparency.
The UAE's efforts to advance the right to water are not limited to the international stage. Domestically, the UAE has been leading efforts to ensure sustainable water security by 2036 through the implementation of the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. This national strategy focuses on the use of innovative technologies such as IoT sensor networks and AI-based water management systems to monitor and manage water quality and supply effectively.
The strategy aligns with broader UAE goals for sustainability and clean energy, including the development of renewable and low-carbon water desalination capacities to support long-term water availability while minimizing environmental impact. The strategy also contributes to national initiatives that prioritize human rights by ensuring access to safe and sustainable water resources for all.
In addition to the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) is a humanitarian initiative dedicated to providing clean and safe drinking water to vulnerable communities within the UAE and globally. Suqia has provided clean water to over 15 million people across 37 countries, delivering clean water access to underserved populations and supporting sanitation improvements.
The UAE's integrated approach to water security, sustainability, and human rights underscores its commitment to guaranteeing universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2036 and beyond. This approach combines technological innovation, clean energy integration, and humanitarian outreach to address the critical issue of water security and promote the right to water both domestically and globally.
Equitable access to water is a cornerstone of sustainable development, and the UAE's efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to this principle. As the world prepares for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, the UAE's leadership and dedication to advancing the right to water will undoubtedly contribute to a successful and impactful event.
- As the UAE continues its commitment to advancing the right to water, it could consider investing in wealth-management strategies that prioritize sustainable finance for water infrastructure projects, ensuring long-term water security and promoting business growth in the sector.
- Recognizing the critical importance of water access for personal-finance stability, the panel discussion at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council emphasized the need for inclusive leadership in the lead-up to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to address this issue.
- The UAE Water Aid Foundation's (Suqia) impactful humanitarian work highlights the potential for partnerships between business, personal-finance, and wealth-management sectors to support important initiatives like water aid, advancing the right to water, and improving global sanitation.