STAKEHOLDER DECLARATION
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2026 UN Water Conference · Abu Dhabi · 8–10 December

Your Voice.
Our Water.
Our Shared Future.

A joint Declaration from civil society, governments, youth, Indigenous Peoples, academia and the private sector, calling for water and sanitation to be permanently anchored at the highest level of the United Nations system.

SDG 6 wheel
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2.1Bpeople without safely managed drinking water
3.4Bpeople without safely managed sanitation
0permanent intergovernmental processes on water
Why this Declaration?

A conference alone will not fix the water crisis.

The world lacks regular high-level water convenings, negotiated global outcomes, a dedicated UN body for water, systematic stakeholder engagement, binding commitments, and meaningful accountability mechanisms. The 2026 UN Water Conference provides a critical opportunity to change course. This Declaration sets out stakeholders' expectations for the Conference itself, for the road to the 2028 UN Water Conference, and for a future global development agenda beyond 2030.

Read the preamble →
The Declaration

Six chapters, six calls

Each chapter ends in one call to member states and the UN system, from recognising stakeholders as essential partners to building a permanent water process that is accountable beyond periodic conferences.

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  1. The value and role of stakeholders

  2. Stakeholder expectations towards a permanent intergovernmental water process

  3. A structured stakeholder mechanism in global water governance

  4. Stakeholder priorities on water, including beyond 2030

  5. Joint implementation of commitments and initiatives

  6. Accountability and learning

Who stands behind it

Built by the people the crisis affects most

  • Children & Youth

    The generation that will live longest with today's water decisions, contributing a long-term view, local action and new ideas.

  • Grassroots & Rights Holders Voices

    Groups with first-hand experience of life with or without safe water and sanitation, from the communities most directly affected.

  • Civil Society

    Organisations that connect policy to practice through service delivery, advocacy and independent monitoring of commitments.

  • Indigenous Peoples

    Rights-holders and stewards of lands, waters and watersheds, with knowledge systems built over generations.

  • Women

    Women and girls carry much of the daily water burden (work and care), providing leadership and knowledge in managing water at home and in the community.

  • Local & Regional Governments

    Politicians and administrators closest to the people, responsible for delivering water and sanitation services every day.

  • Farmers

    The largest water users and stewards of land and watersheds, with practical knowledge of water for food production.

  • Academia & Science

    Research provides independent evidence, data and analysis, which drives innovation in water management.

  • Persons with Disabilities

    Group with expertise in accessibility and inclusive design, and direct insight into where services leave people out.

  • Workers & Trade Unions

    The people who build, run and maintain water services, with practical knowledge of service quality and working conditions.

  • Private Sector

    Entities that can provide investments, technology, engineering and operational capacity for delivering and financing water services.

See all eleven constituencies and the coordination group →
Process

How the Declaration comes to life

  1. Process Design

    Agreement on the objectives, scope, and process of the Declaration, including a preliminary outline.

  2. Current stage

    First Drafting

    Preparation of an initial draft, based on the agreed structure and key messages.

  3. Stakeholder Consultation

    Broad consultation across stakeholder groups and integration of feedback through review rounds and dialogues.

  4. Finalization

    Revision and consolidation of the draft into a consensus-based Declaration with broad stakeholder support.

  5. Endorsement

    Launch of the formal sign-on process for organizations and networks, including logo endorsement where appropriate.

See the full timeline →
Official Launch Event at UN Water Conference

Shaping the Future of Water

Launching the Stakeholder Declaration for the 2026 UN Water Conference and Beyond

  • When

    Thursday, 10 December 2026, 1:45 – 3:00 pm GST

  • Where

    ADNEC Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi
    Special Event Room 1 (Blue Zone)

  • Watch online

    Broadcast on UN Web TV

Countdown to the launch · 10 December 2026, 1:45 pm GST

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Sign up with the Expression of Interest to be included in all communication and to participate in the process of the Stakeholder Declaration for the 2026 UN Water Conference and Beyond.

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