The UAE held a series of high-level engagements during the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to build momentum toward the 2026 UN Water Conference, Utilities Middle East reported. The events brought together representatives from governments, commercial enterprises, investment institutions, humanitarian organisations, researchers, and civil society.
Led by Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, the programme included a session at UN Headquarters with Reem Al Hashimy to advance collective water action. Balalaa and Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy on Business and Philanthropy, convened more than 50 investors and corporate executives to discuss unlocking greater capital for water initiatives, while Balalaa also delivered a keynote address at a World Economic Forum Year of Water roundtable.
Technology and artificial intelligence featured prominently across the discussions. At Goals House, Balalaa met with executives from Microsoft, 500 Global, and Xatoms to discuss innovation and resource management, followed by participation in a US Chamber of Commerce session. In addition, a meeting at the UAE Permanent Mission to the UN examined how artificial intelligence can aid hydrological forecasting, flood planning, drought response, irrigation management, and water allocation.
The New York events form part of preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE and Senegal will co-host in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December. Registration for the conference's Oasis exhibition and convening area is open on the event's official website.
Sources
- Utilities Middle East · 2026-10-05
