UAE Emphasizes Global Water Security at 10th World Water Forum

UAE Emphasizes Global Water Security at 10th World Water Forum

Dil Bar Irshad | May 25, 2024 | 09:06 AM IST | Breaking News, World | Follow on Google News

UAE Emphasizes Global Water Security at 10th World Water Forum

UAE Emphasizes Global Water Security at 10th World Water Forum

Key Highlights:

1. UAE pledges $150 million for global water scarcity solutions at COP28.
2. Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative aims to prioritize water in the global agenda.
3. UAE and Senegal co-host the upcoming UN 2026 Water Conference.

Bali [Indonesia]: This week, a delegation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability, attended the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. The delegation participated in high-level panels, bilateral meetings, and sessions focused on addressing water security challenges.

The UAE views climate action as an opportunity to contribute practical solutions to global problems, as highlighted during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). At COP28, the UAE underscored the central role of water in the climate agenda, pledging USD 150 million for water scarcity solutions.

Building on COP28’s legacy and the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative, the UAE continues to urge international collaboration to address water scarcity. This initiative aims to elevate water issues within the global agenda and accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and other water-related targets leading up to 2026.

During the World Water Forum, Balalaa emphasized the importance of transforming commitments from the UN 2023 Water Conference into tangible actions. He highlighted the UAE’s role as a co-host candidate for the UN 2026 Water Conference, stressing the need for a coordinated global effort to tackle water challenges.

Balalaa held bilateral meetings with global stakeholders, including Barbara Pompili, Special Envoy to the French President for the One Water Summit, and Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation. Discussions focused on preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference and included representatives from the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.

The UN 2023 Water Conference, co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands, took place in March 2023 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It resulted in commitments towards achieving SDG 6 and other water-related goals outlined in the 2030 Development Agenda.

The upcoming UN Water Conference in 2026, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, will involve a series of global consultations to identify shared ambitions and priorities. Ensuring progress on water-related goals is crucial for the achievement of Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

(Inputs from ANI)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.