Source : WAM
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, inaugurated the first edition of the Sustainability Impact Forum during the World Governments Summit 2026, highlighting the UAE’s leadership in global water stewardship ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi this December.
Under the theme ‘Partnerships for Sustainable Water’, the forum brought together global leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to promote innovation, strengthen partnerships, and advance governance frameworks for long-term water security and sustainable development. The event was held on 4th February at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.
The forum saw participation from Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, and Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, along with senior ministers and international experts. Discussions addressed the challenges of water scarcity driven by climate change, population growth, and unsustainable practices, and their impacts on food security, energy systems, biodiversity, and global stability.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Al Dahak reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to fostering collective action for a water-secure future through shared responsibility and innovative partnerships involving governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society. She emphasized that water security should be viewed not only as a challenge but as a strategic opportunity for cooperation and global stability.
She also highlighted the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative as a prime example of the UAE’s efforts to tackle global water scarcity through innovation, international collaboration, and sustainable technologies, particularly benefiting vulnerable communities.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet and Minister of Water Resources and Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan; Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal; and Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues. Speakers emphasized water’s critical role in sustainable development, climate resilience, food systems, and peace-building, while calling for stronger water diplomacy and long-term investment in resilient infrastructure.
The forum featured two high-level panel discussions, moderated by CNN’s Eleni Giokos. The first panel focused on marine reserves and biodiversity protection, highlighting the role of blue bonds, public-private partnerships, and integrated blue economy models in conservation financing, while addressing the urgent need to close the global SDG financing gap.
The second panel explored the interconnections between water, food, and energy, emphasizing the importance of integrated systems, renewable energy, advanced storage technologies, and data-driven policymaking. Panellists cited the UAE’s round-the-clock renewable energy project as a model for delivering resilient and competitive energy that supports water and food security.
The forum concluded with remarks from Prime Minister Matekane, who underscored sustainability as a key driver of economic competitiveness and resilience, while calling for enhanced multilateral cooperation and climate finance to support smaller nations.
Participants collectively reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the protection of water resources and ecosystems, and to directing investments toward sustainable, nature-based solutions that strengthen long-term water security and environmental resilience worldwide.
