By Mohamed Obaid Alqataam Alzaabi
Located in one of the world’s most water-scarce regions, the United Arab Emirates has spent decades investing in water resilience through innovation, infrastructure, technology, and long-term planning, creating potential avenues for collaboration with the Philippines.
FROM Dec. 8 to 10, the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, will host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, experts, financial institutions, businesses, and development partners to advance water resilience globally.
This global gathering comes at a critical moment. Across the world, water challenges are increasingly undermining food security, economic development, public health, and climate resilience. Ensuring sustainable and reliable access to water resources has become increasingly important, as it remains essential to sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
For the Philippines, this reality is particularly relevant. Despite the country’s significant investment in infrastructure and climate resilience, challenges related to potable water access, flooding, and the impact of extreme weather events highlight the importance of continued investment in modern and resilient water systems.
The upcoming conference provides an opportunity to raise these issues to the top of the global agenda and, more importantly, to accelerate practical solutions, which is why we look forward to strong Philippine participation in the conference. As one of the world’s largest archipelagic nations, the Philippines is well positioned to contribute valuable insights to international discussions on governance, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction.
The UAE also approaches this conversation from a position shaped by experience. As one of the world's most water-scarce countries, it has spent decades investing in water resilience through innovation, infrastructure, technology, and forward-looking policymaking.
Today, many of the most promising solutions in the water sector are found at the intersection of these fields. Advances in desalination technology are making water production more efficient and sustainable. Modern wastewater treatment and reuse systems are helping maximize scarce resources. Digital technologies are improving water management and reducing losses. Meanwhile, investments in flood mitigation and resilient infrastructure are helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
These are areas in which closer international cooperation, including between the UAE and the Philippines, can make a meaningful difference.
The UAE’s water achievements are among its proudest success stories, given its arid climate and severe natural water scarcity. Through strategic planning, the country has emerged as one of the world’s leading hubs for water innovation and desalination.
This leadership extends beyond scale. The UAE has invested heavily in next-generation desalination technologies, particularly reverse osmosis systems that significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions compared with traditional thermal desalination.
Alongside desalination, the country has expanded wastewater treatment and water reuse, adopted smart resource-management technologies, and developed sophisticated frameworks for ensuring reliable water supplies under increasingly challenging climate conditions.
As co-host for the 2026 UN Water Conference with the Republic of Senegal, the UAE offers more than a venue for global discussions; it provides a firsthand example of how innovation, targeted investment, and long-term planning can be combined to address water challenges.
The strong and growing relationship between the UAE and the Philippines provides a solid foundation for cooperation in this field. Over the years, our partnership has expanded across trade, investment, energy, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Water and climate-resilient infrastructure represent a natural next chapter in this evolving relationship.
The UAE has developed extensive experience in harnessing innovation and technology, promoting partnerships, and supporting large-scale infrastructure development. This experience can help facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders seeking practical solutions to water-related challenges.
Equally important is the role of the private sector. UAE companies specializing in water technologies, infrastructure development, engineering, project management, and sustainable investment are contributing to transformative projects in the UAE and internationally.
The UAE views the 2026 UN Water Conference not simply as a diplomatic gathering, but as an opportunity to build coalitions, share expertise, mobilize resources, and accelerate implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Water may be one of humanity’s oldest challenges, but through partnership, innovation, and collective action, it can also become one of our greatest shared successes. The 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi will be an important platform to turn ambition into action and to advance a more water-resilient future for all.
Mohamed Obaid Alqataam Alzaabi is the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to the Philippines.