8–10 December 2026, Abu Dhabi
The third UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, to accelerate implementation of SDG 6: availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The 2026 UN Water Conference will bring together stakeholders from around the world to accelerate progress on SDG 6 and advance transformative solutions to global water challenges.
Alongside the official UN-led Blue Zone programme of plenaries, side events and six Interactive Dialogues, the UAE-hosted Oasis will showcase innovation, investment, technology and partnerships shaping the future of water.
The practical facts
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When & where
8–10 December 2026, ADNEC Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Co-hosts
The United Arab Emirates and Senegal.
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Mandate
To accelerate implementation of SDG 6, the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, as set out in UN General Assembly resolution 78/327.
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Programme
Plenaries, six Interactive Dialogues and 260 side events. The dialogues are led by twelve Member State Co-Chairs and build on the High-Level Preparatory Meeting held in Dakar in January 2026.
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Who takes part
Member state governments, UN agencies, financial institutions, the private sector, academia, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, youth and other stakeholders.
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Outcome
A summary of proceedings by the Conference Presidents (UAE and Senegal). There is no negotiated outcome document.
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Follow-up
A follow-up UN General Assembly resolution by the UAE is possible. Discussions on the 2028 Water Framework will begin in March 2027, in preparation for the 2028 UN Water Conference.
Six dialogues over three days
The dialogues run in parallel with the plenary meetings. Summaries are presented at the closing plenary and feed into the Conference's final report.
Tuesday
8 December
Water for Prosperity
Co-Chairs: China and Spain
Water for Cooperation
Co-Chairs: Finland and Zambia
Wednesday
9 December
Water for People
Co-Chairs: Ghana and Switzerland
Investments for Water
Co-Chairs: France and South Africa
Thursday
10 December
Water for Planet
Co-Chairs: Egypt and Japan
Water in Multilateral Processes
Co-Chairs: Germany and Mexico
How stakeholders can take part
The Conference invites stakeholders and hears statements from accredited stakeholders. Entry to the Blue Zone requires accreditation, open to organisations in consultative status with ECOSOC and to Specially Accredited Organizations.
Register for Blue Zone participationWritten statements and inputs
Non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders accredited in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/327 can now submit written statements or inputs to the Conference through a dedicated form. The deadline is 10 December 2026.
Submit a written statementWhat we're bringing to Abu Dhabi
The Conference will end with a summary of proceedings, not a negotiated text. That makes stakeholder statements and the follow-up process more important, not less. This Declaration turns stakeholder priorities into concrete calls, shared with member states, the Conference Presidents and the UN system, and it asks that they carry through to the 2028 Water Framework.
Read the six calls →