Accelerating Momentum towards the 2026 UN Water Conference (HLPF 2026 Side Event)

Good afternoon, Excellencies, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.
It's a great pleasure to welcome you to this high level session as we count down to the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will convene in UW from December eight to ten end of this year.
Today, only 147 days stand between us and the first ever United Nations Conference dedicated to Sustainable Development Goal six, a journey that the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal as co hosts, embarked upon together almost two years ago.
This year's high level political forum where SDG six is under review has reminded us of a reality we all know.
While progress has been made, it is not happening at the speed or scale required.
Today is an opportunity to discuss how together we can change that.
My name is Shem Kaag.
I'm the Director of Energy and Sustainability at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it is my pleasure to moderate today's session.
Throughout this afternoon, we will hear from our co hosts, interactive dialogue co chairs, and key partners who have been supporting and shaping the preparations for the conference.
But before we begin, it is my great pleasure to welcome a very special guest to officially open today's session.
Mr.
Amina James Hamed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Your Excellency, the floor is yours.
Thank you very much.
Your Excellency, Mr.
Abdellabla, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability of the UAE, Your Excellency, Mr.
Sheikh Jane, Minister of Water and Sanitation of Senegal, my colleague, Alfa Olario, the President of IFAD, and the UN Water Chair, Distinguished Ministers, UN representatives, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
It's a great pleasure to join you today.
My thanks to the co hosts of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, the United Arab Emirates and Senegal for bringing us together.
Let me start with the people in this room.
The co chairs of all six interactive dialogues are here, senior leaders from across our UN system and partners right across the water community, including those who represent the communities living with water scarcity every day.
Nelson Mandela once called himself a committed water person and I suspect he would have counted many friends in the room here today.
We have five months to December.
What happens between now and then depends in large part on the people in this room.
Let's make the most of these months count.
Water is our most vital resource.
It is our planet's lifeblood sustaining all known life.
If you reimagine the sustainable development goals as a Venn diagram and water sits right at the center.
Our need for water is still growing because the same resource that irrigates the field in the Sahel now calls the data centers training artificial intelligence.
Water underpins the digital economy just as surely as it is the foundation for our food, our health, our energy, and it is the superconnector across the SDGs.
Protecting water infrastructure is a humanitarian obligation and a foundation for peace.
Events in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have also shown how quickly water becomes a casualty of conflict.
When desalination plants come under attack in one of the most water scarce regions on Earth, millions of lives are put at risk.
Fragile as these systems are, the past decade has shown what we can build when the world invests in water.
Nearly 1 billion people gained access to safely managed drinking water, 1.2 billion to sanitation, and 1.6 billion to basic hygiene, yet we are nowhere near where we need to be for universal access by 2030.
Closing the gap at this point is about implementation, as we know, through the right investment and concrete and coordinated actions at the country level.
This December in Abu Dhabi, we have a gateway to get there, and it must be about implementation from its first session to its last.
Let's use this session today to ask ourselves what exactly it would take to do that.
We can and should be encouraged by the progress that is already being made in the interactive dialogues.
They have become dynamic spaces for consultation and by bringing governments into conversation with the United Nations system, international financial institutions, our local authorities, business leaders, civil society, indigenous people, young people, academia and the private sector, They are increasingly shaping coordinated solutions that can be acted upon with accountability and clear pathways for implementation.
The next step is to land strategic flagship initiatives that are scalable and ready to implement.
Initiatives that answer the PAC for the future's call for solutions that are rooted in science, technology, partnerships, and innovation.
The UAE is well ahead in leading the science, technology and innovation.
Initiatives that put women at the decision making table.
We know that when access is lacking, it's women and girls who play the highest toll, relying on unsafe toilets, caring for family members who are made sick from contaminated water, and spending hours each day retrieving water, keeping many girls home from school.
We cannot forget that where water flows, equality grows.
Your initiative can build on the momentum of the 2023 UN Water Conference and the review of SDG six this year, while ensuring coherence across the substantive work of the six interactive dialogues.
You can count on the UN system, UN DSA in close coordination with the co hosts and UN partners on the Conference logistics, UN Water Partners with substantive matters, and the Office of the Secretary-General Special Envoy on Water, all supporting shared outcomes for our shared water agenda.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, between this room today and Abu Dhabi remain just a handful of months.
If we get this right, the UN Water Conference will carry us towards the 2027 SDG Summit and shape how the world accelerates implementation across the broader 2030 agenda and approaches water well beyond 2030.
Use today's discussion in the next six months to strengthen coherence with partnerships that can deliver and reinforce regional integration that demonstrates multilateral cooperation and momentum for the water agenda to 2030 and beyond.
That's how we will arrive ready in December with the solutions, financing and cooperation to change the world's trajectory on water.
I thank you.
Thank you very much, Deputy Secretary-General, for those inspiring opening remarks.
We will now move to scene setting remarks from the co host of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
So please join me in welcoming His Excellency Abdabla, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy Sustainability of the United Arab Emirates.
Your Ellcy.
Thank you, Shama.
Your Excellency, Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.
Excellency's, distinguished colleagues and friends.
It's truly a pleasure to welcome you today, and I would like to start by thanking Her Excellency for your leadership and, of course, for setting the tone for this important discussion.
This year's high level political forum is particularly significant.
A Sustainable Development Goal six is under review just five months before the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
And I want to encourage everyone to see today's discussion and our time in general at HLPF as a roadmap from now to the conference.
Almost ten years after the adoption of the SDG six, we gather to reflect on our collective progress, acknowledge the challenges that remain and build the momentum needed to finish the job ahead of us.
We know the progress we have made, and we know also the gaps that still remain.
The task before us now is clear.
We must translate plans and objectives into tangible actions and outcomes.
The UA and Senegal see the conference as an opportunity to bring the world together around the shared reality.
Water is the lifeline and every future flows from water.
Water underpins every dimension of sustainable development from food systems and health to energy, technology, and economic growth.
Progress in water unlocks progress across the entire sustainable development agenda.
That is the vision guiding our work, and our work will not end in 2026.
This December will mark only the third D and Water conference in almost 50 years.
That kind of a gap must never happen again.
While another conference is scheduled for 2028, we must already be asking ourselves, what happens after? We cannot afford to lose the momentum we've been creating in the past two years.
We need to ensure that regular United Nations Water conferences continue beyond 2028, providing a sustained platform to review progress, strengthen accountability, and accelerate implementation.
This will give member states and stakeholders the confidence, continuity, and space to deepen partnerships, sustain political momentum, and shape a shared long term vision for the future of water.
Let us also remember that access to water is a fundamental human right.
It deserves the sustained attention, leadership, and investment of both the public and private sector alike.
Water requires all of us to work together.
Inclusivity is a core principle of our approach as co host of the UN Water Conference.
In the UAE, we believe everyone must have a seat at the table, from youth who are the architects of our future to local communities and indigenous people who carry generations of knowledge and wisdom, from the private sector and financial institutions to civil society and governments, each brings a unique strength.
And we know that real impact happens when these efforts are aligned behind the common purpose.
The six interactive dialogues reflect this philosophy.
Almost one year ago here at the United Nations headquarters, member states adopted by consensus the six themes of the conference interactive dialogues, an important achievement for multilateral cooperation.
At a time when confidence in multilateralism continues to be tested, we demonstrated that water can be a power force for unity.
I commend our 12 co chairs who were appointed nearly a year ahead of the conference for their leadership in guiding this process.
They recognize that water is not a standalone issue.
Through their work, they are creating platforms that bring together diverse perspectives to identify practical, scalable solutions that improve lives and accelerate progress on SDG six.
Yesterday, after a full day of engagements, we convened a high level meeting with our 12 co chairs to take a stock on our progress, strengthen synergies across the six interactive dialogues and chart an ambitious collective path towards the 2026 UN Water Conference and beyond.
Today's discussion is another important milestone on that roadmap, and I look forward to exploring how we can continue to build on the momentum in the months ahead.
I also challenge our co chairs and all of you to raise your ambition even further.
Come to Abu Dhabi with meaningful partnerships, concrete action plans, measurable commitments, and transformative initiatives that will accelerate progress on SDG six and the wider sustainable development agenda.
As we look towards Abu Dhabi, our objectives remain clear, not simply to convene, but to deliver.
Ultimately, our success will not measured by the conference itself, but by the opportunities we create for people, communities, and future generations around the world.
I look forward to hearing from our co chairs and our partners today and continue this journey with you all to December in Abu Dhabi.
Thank you.
Thank you, Your Excellency.
And now, please please join me to welcome the co host, our colleagues from the Republic of Senegal, and on behalf of His Ecency Sherif Tedeni, Minister of hydraulics and Sanitation of Senegal, doctor Mohamed Dara, Senegal Sherpa for the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Muhammad, the floor is yours.
Thank you, Moderator, Excellency, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Excellency, distinguished Ministers, representatives of the United Nations, ladies and gentlemen, it's a pleasure to welcome you today and to see around this table, the remarkable coalition that have that that has come together in support of the 26th UN Water Conference.
I would like to commend the United Nations leadership on this process.
And on behalf of Senegal, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all member states, the co chairs of the six interactive dialogues, the United Nations systems development partners, financial institutions, civil societies, Indous people, young people, academia, and representative of private sector.
Your commitment has transformed the preparatory process into a truly global endeavor.
When we met in Dhaka five years ago, five months ago, we shared an ambition to build a conference capable of accelerating progress on SEG six.
Today, it is encouraging to see how far we have come.
The momentum created has continued to grow.
Across the six interactive dialogue consultations have broadened, partnerships have deepened, and most importantly, a union sense of shared leadership have emerged.
Each interactive dialogue has developed its own dynamic while contributing to a common objective.
The collective spirit is undoubtedly one of the strongest achievement of our preparatory process.
This process deserves recognition, and I would like to thank every co chair and every partner for the leadership they have shown over the past months.
Excellencies.
At the same time, we should keep our focus on what ultimately matters.
The confidence will be but its ability to accelerate progress and improve people's lives.
The flagship initiatives now taking shape across the six iterative dialogues represent a unique opportunity to achieve exactly that.
Over the coming months, our responsibility is to continue reaffirming and consolidating these initiatives so that they becomes ambitious, coherent, and investable.
Above all, they must deliver tangible results where they are needed most for communities without access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
For countries facing increased water stress, and for those most vulnerable to the impact of the climate change, our ambition should therefore be clear.
Abu Dhabi must not simply showcase good initiatives.
It must launch partnerships, mobilize investment, accelerate implementation, and lay the foundation of the feature of water governance and agenda.
Excellencies, as we enter the final phase of preparation, I believe three priority should guide our collective efforts.
First, the political leadership.
The technical work has been impressive.
We now need to elevate this work to the highest political ambition.
What must be recognized as a strategic priority for development.
In this regard, we count on the continued leaderships and advocacy of the United Nations, particularly the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, the special envoy, UN Water share, et cetera, to help maintain water high on the international political agenda in the months ahead and beyond.
The second priority is coherence.
The six interative dialogue should not lead us in six different directions.
Together, they must build a single narrative, a new narrative, I would say, and a coherent roadmap for implementation.
By connecting our flagship initiative, we will maximize the impact and then the political outcome of the conference.
The third and the last priority is implementation, as Her Excellency Amina Mohammed said in his speech in her speech.
Our greatest challenges has never been making commitment.
It has always been ensuring that those commitments translate into real progress on the ground.
The legacy of Abu Dhabi will depend on our ability to sustain action well beyond the conference itself.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to conclude with one appeal.
The road from Dhaka to New York has demonstrated what partnership can achieve, and the road from New York to Abu Dhabi must now demonstrate what political leadership can deliver.
Together with the United Arab Emirates, Senegal calls on all member states and partners to come to Abu Dhabi with the highest possible level of participation.
The presence of heads of states and governments, ministers, leaders of international organizations, financial institutions, the private sector, young people, indigenous people, civil society, academia, will send a clear message that water has become the defining political priority for our shared future.
If we succeed in bringing together that level of ambition, commitment, and partnerships, Abu Dhabi will be remembered as the moment when the international community choose to move decisively from dialogue to delivery, from commitment to implementation, and from ambition to impact to lasting impact for people and for the planet.
I thank you.
Thank you, Data.
Definitely what a remarkable coalition on water we have today.
Now, I would like to invite a partner, a partner who has been instrumental throughout the preparations for the conference.
So please join me in welcoming Mr.
Alvaro Lario, Chair of UN Water and President of the International Fund for Agriculture Development.
Mr.
Lario? Thank you very much, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, let me start by thanking Your Excellency, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, for your leadership over these years on Water, which has been really deeply appreciated.
Also to our co host, Your Excellencies and Assistant Minister Abdulbala also from Senegal, our Sheeran and friend doctor at, thank you on behalf of UN Water for your vision and also for your coordinated effort and to the ministerial cotures on interactive dialogue who are present here, also thanking you for your commitment and your stewardship throughout this process.
Dear colleagues, last week, we presented the synthesis report on UN water of ten years of SDG six and paths to 2030.
After a decade of SDG six implementation, progress is real.
Billions more people now have access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Water use efficiency and integrated water resource management have improved.
We are seeing political commitment also high.
However, while progress is accelerating, it remains too slow and uneven.
Our collective shortcomings have visible impacts on the ground for billions of people.
However, there still are billions that remain in desperate need.
The speed and scale of our joint achievements matter for people's lives and today and in the future.
Now we must take this momentum that we're building on SDG six and turn it into transformation.
Colleagues, SDG six has demonstrated the value of a dedicated global goal for water and sanitation, and this upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference is an opportunity to push faster and farther.
From now on, we must see water as a superconnector that advances progress for people, planet, and prosperity.
From UN Water, we will continue working with member states and UN institutions and partners to realize this vision, to provide new levels of system wide coordination that turn commitment into implementation and that support countries to deliver greater results.
Dear friends, the potential positive impact of SDG six is an unparalleled opportunity.
Together, we must build on what is working and move from incremental investments to transformative change.
And as we prepare for the decades ahead, there must also be a stronger multilateral approach to water and sanitation beyond 2030.
As the 21st century unfolds, we will need a more structured intergovernmental process to match the integrated nature of the challenges we face.
Countless communities are in desperate need with serious consequences being felt across societies, economies, and ecosystems.
The next chapter of water cannot only be about managing scarcity, it must also be about unlocking possibility.
Let's leverage water and sanitation as catalysts for progress for everyone everywhere.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you, Mr.
Lario.
Now please join me in thanking our distinguished speakers for setting the stage for today's discussion.
Thank you all.
We will now move into the next segment of our program, focusing on the six interactive dialogues.
We'll just give the distinguished panel a few moments.
Thank you.
Thank you.
All right.
Now, yes.
Over the past six months, we have been working closely with our co chairs to ensure that each interactive dialogue is implementation oriented and advances a set of transformative flagship initiatives.
Today we will hear directly from the co chairs on how those preparations are progressing.
Now, I would like to invite to the stage the co chairs of the interactive dialogues on Water for people.
Please welcome to the stage.
Water for a Planet, Water for people, water for plant, and water in the multilateral processes.
Please.
Move here.
Okay.
Thank you for your patience.
Now, to make the best use of our time, I will ask two questions at the outset, which will guide really our discussion across all of the interactive dialogues.
I kindly ask each speaker to keep the remarks to 3 minutes, please.
The first question is, could you share an update on the preparations for your interactive dialogue? What priorities are emerging? What flagship initiatives are you advancing, and how are you working with member states and stakeholders to build momentum towards the 2026 UN Water Conference? Please.
We'll start off.
Sorry, a quantities.
We'll start off with the interactive dialogue, Water for Planet with Her Excellency Iano Kuni Mitsu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Excellency, distinguished participants, since the preparation meeting in the car in January, the co chair of Interactive Dialog, Egypt and Japan have organized and participate in six international events, engaging in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders across the international community.
In addition, we have conducted bilateral consultations with partner countries that maintain close ties with Japan.
Through these exchanges, the co chairs have engaged with 33 stakeholders, including high level representative of the government, international organizations, donor institutions, scientific and technical institutions, and private companies.
These exchanges have provided us with many valuable insights, perspectives, and ideas.
Drawing upon these insights, we have proposed a number of new discussion frameworks and recommended actions.
We are currently undertaking a comprehensive update of our work program to reflect these contributions.
In particular, we have put forward concrete proposals on priority actions for securing financial resources, institutional frameworks to facilitate multi stakeholders, collaboration as labor basin skills, and a rewarding system with a strong focus on reliability and sustainability.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with all of you towards the UN 2011 UN Worl Conference.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you, Your Excellency.
I'll now give the floor to the second co chair.
Hi Excellency Professor Han Salem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt.
Thank you very much for giving me the floor.
At the outset, I would like to thank and express our appreciation to the United Arab Emirates and also to the Republic of Senegal for their leadership and co hosts of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
I would like also to commend the coordination between the co hosts, co chairs, the Secretariat, and all the interactive dialogues.
Yesterday, we had a very fruitful meeting between the co hosts and the co chairs, where we exchanged views on the way forward.
The discussion reaffirmed our shared commitment to an inclusive, transparent, and implementation oriented preparatory process.
Together with my colleague from Japan, it is my pleasure to provide a brief update.
I try not to duplicate.
Then on interactive dialogue, see water for the planet.
Since our appointment, we have engaged extensively with member states, UN entities, international organizations, and stakeholders to ensure broad ownership of the dialogue.
One message has consistently emerged the world is entering a new hydrological reality.
Requiring integrated and forward looking water solutions.
On conference flagships, we appreciate the co hosts for launching the process to collect ideas.
We see these initiatives as an opportunity to transform dialogue into implementation and to build a lasting legacy for the conference.
Several promising ideas are already emerging under interactive Dialogue C.
Egypt is expanding its African water capacity building initiative to train 2000 water professionals, while Japan is also adding other initiatives.
We are also working closely with partners on initiatives related to green water, artificial intelligence for hydrological forecasting, mainstreaming water across the REU conventions, and strengthening cooperation on non conventional water resources and transboundary water cooperation.
As co chairs, we remain fully open to working across all interactive dialogues.
Many priorities naturally overlap, and stronger cooperation will help maximize impact, avoid duplication, and deliver coherent conference outcomes.
Looking ahead, we believe conference flagships should become more than individual initiatives.
Together, they can form the implementation legacy of the 2026 conference and contribute to a stronger global water architecture in the years ahead.
Our next collective task is to agree on symbol and common criteria for selecting these flagships.
Egypt and Japan look forward to continuing discussions with all partners.
Finally, Cairo Water Week, this is the advertisement part is going to happen on the 24th of October will be an important milestone on our road to Abu Dhab.
It will provide an opportunity for all interactive dialogues, co chairs to present their near final direction of their engage with the stakeholders and strengthen momentum towards the conference, I invite all of you to participate.
Together with ban, we remain fully committed to working with the co hosts, fellow co chairs, and all partners to ensure the success of the 2026 United Nations Conference in Abu Dhabi.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Now, the same question on receiving an update on the preparations of the interactive dialogue.
We move on to interactive Dialogue A, which is Water for People.
And I'll now give the floor to His Excellency, Samuo Yao Kuma, ambassador and permanent representative of Ghana to the United Nations.
Ambassador.
Thank you very much, indeed, Madam Mdria.
And let me at the outset, align myself with the sentiment expressed by colleagues in thanking the UAE and Senegal for their outstanding leadership and consultative approach in the lead up to the UN Water Conference in 2026.
Yes, on behalf of Switzerland, I would like to share some updates on the work we've carried out thus far.
I Since we assume our role, we have pursued an inclusive and consultative process involving member states, United Nations entities, civil society, academia, young people, and practitioners.
Six thematic working groups are helping to shape the substance of the dialogue, and their recommendations will inform both the preparatory process and the discussion at the conference.
Vision is clear to accelerate universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene through a human rights based approach, strong institutions, accountable governance, and sustainable service delivery.
At the heart of this work is the commitment to reach those who remain furthest behind.
We're talking of girls, women, persons with disabilities, and climate vulnerable communities.
We're working closely with UNICEF and WHO to engage to ensure alignment, sorry, with the broader conference process and with the priorities of SDG six.
We have also continued our engagement with member states and stakeholders through consultations in Dashban During this high level political forum and in preparation for important milestones in Kim Gali and Stockholm, our most advanced flagship initiative is the Proposed Global acceleration platform for National Water Compact.
The platform seeks to support country led development, implementation, and monitoring of National Water Compact by bringing government, development partners, international financial institutions, civil society, and the private sector together around shared national targets, coordinated investment and mutual accountability.
We are developing this proposal in collaboration with partners, including sanitation and water for all, the World Bank, international financial institutions, member states, and philanthropic organizations.
Our intention is not to create another layer of bureaucracy.
Want to streamline the process, want to provide a practical mechanism that helps countries move from political commitment to finance measurable and sustained implementation.
So as preparations advance, Ghana and Switzerland will continue to broaden participation, deepen partnerships, and ensure that the dialogue delivers actionable outcomes capable of accelerating progress for those most in need.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
We now move on to His Excellency, Marcus Ruby, State Secretary, Federal Council for the 2030 agenda of Switzerland.
Thank you, moderator.
Let me start by congratulating the UAE and Segal for your leadership and by thanking Ghana for the excellent collaboration on IDA W for people.
How do we intend to interconnect the interactive dialogues? How do we intend to reinforce the dialogue so they are mutually beneficial? Let me share three avenues from the perspective of Switzerland and Ghana.
First of all, W for people is fundamental.
Universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene is a key enabler of sustainable development and progress across the SDGs, while the human rights to water and sanitation help ensure that no one is left behind.
So this is kind of the fundamentals that we believe are interconnecting all the IDs.
Secondly, we put a lot of value on the cross cutting flagship initiatives.
These initiatives emerge from IDA, and they demonstrate a strong interlinkage across the conference agenda.
Particularly the Global Acceleration platform for National Water Compact has a strong link with IDF, and we have already initiated exchanges with France and South Africa, as well as with the World Bank in its role as co convenor.
In this avenue as well, likewise, the proposed joint initiative under the under the Protocol on Water and Health and the initiative on climate resilient wash in schools and healthcare facilities have clear linkages with IDC, notably through strengthening resilience to climate impacts, while advancing health education and broader development objectives.
We intend to further develop and showcase these synergies as preparations for the conference progress.
And thirdly, finally, Beyond the flagship initiatives, our six thematic working groups are generating a very broad range of additional recommendation, partnerships, and initiatives.
These ideas reflect the richness of the consultation process, and we are committed to showcasing and advancing them throughout the preparations of the conference and, of course, also during the conference itself.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
For time keeping sake, we have 30 minutes left and two more segments to continue.
So now we'll move on to interactive dialogue E, Water and multilateral Process.
But I'll please ask the esteemed panelists to please keep their remarks to 3 minutes.
I'll start off with miss Rita Sislor Sutter, Vice Minister for the Environment, climate Protection, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety of Germany.
Your Excellency.
Thank you, Chair, Excellency, colleagues.
I would like to thank the hosts, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal for the opportunity to report on the status of our preparations and I want to thank Mexico for the fruitful cooperation.
As of now, our consultation indicate a clear direction.
Prior to 2023, states did not systematically discuss water for decades.
We can no longer afford this.
There's broad consensus that water must be anchored more firmly and more coherently in the multilateral system.
Many states are calling for a regular intergovernmental process.
But such process is not just an end in itself, it can strengthen coordination and implementation in line with the UN AT initiative.
The process must serve as the roof under which tangible actions can be collected and better organized.
In a sense, the ideas on the table so far concern six aspects.
Three of these build the basis of a consolidated process.
First, the call for regular UN water conferences every three to four years.
Second, anchoring negotiated outcomes of the conferences and follow up on progress on these decisions.
Third, an instrument for meaningful stakeholder contributions.
The other elements relate to mainstreaming water and further strengthening a Koreient UN system.
Fourth, a solid bridge between a water process and RIO conventions.
Third, better coordination of donors.
Sixth, the institutional strengthening of water in the UN system.
It is important to note that both the IPWG and the SDG six synthesis report have echoed these elements in their recommendations, too.
So there is a strong momentum and the expectation is clear that we need to achieve tangible results at the 2026 W conference.
We cannot delay further steps.
Now it's about discussing these ideas and determining a joint path for the years to come.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Now we move on to His Excellency, Ambassador Porpirio Munos Lido, who's the Deputy permanent representative of Mexico to the UN.
The floor is yours Ambassador.
Thank you very much, Madam Moderator.
Thanks to the co hosts, the United Arab Emits and Senegal and to my colleague, Germany, that you spoke 2 minutes and I'm going to use one of those.
To answer the question, let me conclude by looking ahead.
If you want water to remain high on the international agenda in 2028 and beyond 2030, we must demonstrate in 2026 that this process can deliver meaningful results.
The next six months will therefore be critical.
In the first phase of our work has been about listening.
The next must be about shaping practical options and building convergence.
Since the meeting in DC, Germany and Mexico have worked closely together to advance an open, transparent, and inclusive preparatory process.
We have consulted extensively with member states, the UN system, and stakeholders, published our first state of play report, and recently launched our online call for written submissions.
Now our collective responsibility is to translate this constructive dialogue into concrete outcomes.
First, we need to identify where genuine convergence is emerging.
Our consultations suggests that despite different perspectives on the issue, there is considerable common ground, the next step is to translate that conversions into practical recommendations capable of commanding broad political support.
Among everyone.
Second, we should further develop the conversation on the possible features and functions of a continuous intergovernmental processes on water, not as an end in itself, but as a practical means of sustaining political momentum, strengthening follow up and ensuring that the work initiated in 2023 and advancing 2026 continues well beyond the conclusion of the 2030 agenda and the intergovernmental decade for action on water in 2028.
Over the coming months, Germany and Mexico will intensify our engagement with member states.
Recent change in Geneva marked an important step, and we look forward to continuing that dialogue in New York at t on World Water Week and through further bilateral consultations in the lead up to Abu Dhabi.
These changes will help refine proposals and build broader convergence.
We warmly encourage all delegations and stakeholders to continue contributing through our online consultation and written submissions, which will inform the second state of play report and the recommendations emerging from interactive Dialog E.
As co chairs, Mexico, Germany, our ambition is not simply to improve coordination within the water community.
It is to position waters across cutting enabler of sustainable development while strengthening coherence across multilateral process and ensuring that the multilateral system is very equipped to respond to the needs of member states.
Third, we strongly support the shared objective of the co host and the of co chairs to identify a limited number of flagship initiatives for the conference.
This initiative should connect the work of the six interactive dialogs, reinforce synergies among them and demonstrate that the conference can deliver concrete and lasting outcomes.
The opportunity before us is not simply to prepare another conference or a set of conferences.
It is to demonstrate that the multilateral system can evolve, adapt and deliver.
If we succeed, the 2026 United Nations Water Conference will leave not only a strong set of recommendations, but also a solid foundation for keeping water high on the international agenda well beyond 2030.
Germany and Mexico remain fully committed to working together with all of you to achieve this objective.
Thank you very much, and thank you for the minute.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Due to time, please join me in thanking the esteemed coachs and panelists and we move on to the next segment, please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Excellencies.
Now, I'd like to call to the panelists, please, the co chairs of Interactive Dialogue for Water, Investments for Water, Water for cooperation, and Water for prosperity.
As you've noticed, we intentionally mix the order of both speakers and interactive dialogues, not because one dialogue is more important than the other, but really to demonstrate that they are all equally important, interconnected, and mutually reinforcing.
I also ask the esteemed panelists to also give short remarks, two to 3 minutes, please, in order to give time for the closing segment with partners of the conference.
I will just reiterate that the two questions that we're really asking here is one on updates on the preparations for your interactive dialogues and how you see the dialogues interconnected and mutually reinforcing efforts and synergies between the dialogues.
In this session, In this session, the same two questions continue in this segment.
I will start off with the interactive Dialogue F, Investments for Water.
And so please, I'd like to welcome His Excellency, Mr.
David Halobo, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa.
Your Excellency is thanks moderator on our side working with France as coaches.
Our ability is that investment in water is a cross cutting issue, and we've been interacting with all the other themes.
We attended the one hosted yesterday by Switzerland, Ghana, Egypt, and the others.
More importantly, we are saying that we are responding to the investment gap.
That has been recognized by the United Nations and its agencies around access to water and including sanitation.
We agreed that through this one, we need to scale up investment manifolds.
We must actually open up water and sanitation in terms of reforms so that we can also allow private sector to come on board in terms of investment.
We also agreed on the issues of the risking so that the social component and inclusivity for those unsafe communities, vulnerable group women and children is taken into account, but also to dilute state issues around the question of debt trap because many of them, they can't invest in them.
We've also agreed that we need to dilute issues of fragmentation, around the valuation and pricing of water, deal with the regulatory and institutional framework.
Very pleased that in Africa leadership of Africa, President Rama Posa hosted last day the AIP, which is Africa Investment Program, raised more than 12 billion rents on payable project to support that was started by the United Nations, but we're also building on the work that was also done in Senecal in terms of innovation and capacity building.
The one that of financing we dealt with HSA Villa organized by the UN in terms of financing.
But we are more pleased that even in terms of our G 20 presidency, we have agreed to continue to support these key issues.
We are also saying that the number of initiatives that we have done with our partners, whether the World Bank that we just did recently in Washington, we must build on that one, looking at the issues of the presidency, leadership heads of state and government, issues of green funds and blue bonds.
In Cape Town, we've started working with the bank to be able to do that.
And more importantly, the leadership of African ministers committee on Water And then lastly, we should leave no one behind with respect to issues of vulnerable communities, building those resilient communities around climate change and climate resilient communities.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Your excellency, Mr.
Mogo.
I now give the floor to His Ecellcy Jerome Bonfin, ambassador and permanent representative of France to the United Nations.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and building on what His Excellency Minister of Water of South Africa said, Well, we are working with a sense of urgency because we are facing not only in the South, but also in the North terrible risk of water scarcity.
I remember in 1974, a candidate in the French to the French presidency, Rene Dumont, drank solemnly a glass of water saying that it might be the last glass of water one can safely drink.
This one was visionary.
Now we must invest.
We must invest in the south as well as in the north so that water is available for everybody at an affordable price for people as well as for communities.
Therefore, we need investment.
We had three key findings that we propose to address with a flagship initiative.
First key finding financing for water must move beyond fragmented short term and seed projects toward integrated national investment programs.
Flagship Initiative one, therefore, would be the launch of country platforms to align water policies with integrated national development plans.
We could build on the country platforms developed by the Green Climate Fund, the World Bank, and sanitation and Water for all.
Second key finding, a transformation of our approach to water is needed to attract more investment.
As a flagship Initiative two, we suggest to adopt a global roadmap with governance and investments principle across all sectors.
This global road map must notably take into account the need to guarantee access to water for all households at a price affordable for everyone.
Key finding number three, we must scale up existing programs and partnerships and strengthen coordination between them.
Flagship Initiative number three, a board of partners bringing together key actors could help countries needing support.
This is what President Pacro has done with the One Planet Smits, including the successful One Water Summit in December 2024.
This is the way we propose to continue to have in order to contribute with South Africa to the success of the conference in Abu Dhabi sponsored by UAE and Senegal in a few weeks.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Ambassador.
Again, weary of time, please, two to 3 minutes to give chance for the next segment.
I'll now give the floor to the co chairs of Interactive Dialogue D, Water for Cooperation.
I'll start off with Excellency Mr.
Mia, Nianen Vice Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland.
Your Excellency.
Thank you very much, Excellency', colleagues.
First off, I would also like to thank United Arab Emirates and Senecal for their hard work and leadership regarding an important issue.
Finland is honored to co chair interactive Dialogue, Water for cooperation together with Zambia.
Successful interactive dialogue means transforming water cooperation from technical challenge often associated conflict potential into structured, rule based transboundary cooperation grounded in science and inclusive governance.
Following our work plan, we have held consultations and open dialogues with a wide range of national and international partners to gather ideas, formulate initiatives, and create synergies.
We wish to listen to as many voices as possible in our path of formulating our flagships.
I will now introduce two of our flagship initiatives as they stand at the moment.
First, the 100 parties initiative, the strengthened rule based legal and institutional framework for transboundary cooperation accelerating accession to the 1992 and 97 UN Water conventions is most important.
Today, we are there are 59 parties in the 1992 convention, Helsinki Convention, which constitutes an evolving global nomative standard and platform for exchange of experiences.
The global 0100 parties initiative is to secure eight to ten new accessions by the 2026 conference and encourage 20 to 30 additional countries to begin the accession processes.
Ing the convention, countries can benefit from its framework and support in many ways.
We encourage all member states to consider acceding and especially those who are in a leadership role in the OUN Water Conference.
Second, basis for cooperation for balanced and sustainable management of water resources at the basis level, we need empowered and adequately financed river basis organization.
Our basin for cooperation flagship focuses on tangible process, signing of new agreements, renewable of existing ones, and other forms of practical cooperation such as data sharing, protocols, and climate adaptation plans.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
And Again, keeping our remarks brief, giving the floor to Mr.
Romas Kamana permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation of Zambia.
Thank you, Madam Modella.
I think maybe just to add to what my co chair has already said, Zambia, we also promote our flagship initiatives through the Continental and regional forum, such as the ambesi Water Course Commission, the Sadec and the AMC.
Where we also continue with our stakeholder consultative process to champion water for cooperation through engagements with African countries, through our African vision and policy.
As you know, our president is a champion of water and sanitation.
We're also working on the Lower Platte River and the Lake Milu Authority Agreement, which we hope that it can be signed at the UN Water Convention in Abu Dhabi.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Water for prosperity, and I'll give the floor to His Excellency, Minister Counselor of the Permanent Mission of China, Mr.
Wu Ji Kai.
Okay, first and foremost, I'd like to express China's deep appreciation for UAE, for Senecal for your country recognizing these very timely events.
And China has always believed that water is not only the source of life, but also the foundation prosperity.
The efficient use and optimal allocation of water resource are critical to quality economic growth and sustainability of social development.
Guided by this vision, China has in recent years actively implemented the water governance, principle, prioritizing water conservation, and balance special development, taking systematic governance and promoting government market synergy.
We have advanced world infrastructure, improved water use efficiency and conservation, restored rivers and lakes, strengthened disaster prevention and mitigation, and modernized world gardens.
As co chair of the interactive dialogue on W for prosperity with Spain, China actively and constructively engaged in preparation for 2026 United Nations World Conference to further advance global cooperation world with country, China and Spain will jointly launch the World W Prosperity action Initiative during the interactive dialogue.
Through the enhanced practical cooperation, the initiative aims to unleash the tremendous potential world in supporting economic growth, promoting sustainable social development, and safeguarding ecological security.
The initiative welcomes the participants of un entities, member states, international organizations, and all relevant stakeholders with a view to translating political commitment into collective global action.
China will continue to uphold the principle of openness, inclusiveness, and shared benefits and work closely with all partners at one conference preparation.
I hope that the constructive ideas emerging from today's discussion will help guide the consultation ahead and contribute to the outcome that is both Forward looking and action oriented.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
We'll give now the floor to miss Sophia Sans, head of International Affairs at the Secretary of State for the Environment of Spain.
Thank you very much, Excellencys distinguished co host co chairs, ladies and gentlemen.
Allow me to begin by thanking the United Arab Emirates in Senegal for the commitment and leadership throughout this preparatory process towards the 2026 Water Conference.
Spain and China have the honor of co chairing the interactive Dialogue on Water for Prosperity.
Since the preparatory conference held in the car last January, we have worked together on a work plan aimed at advancing an integrated and systemic approach to water management that recognizes water as a driver of prosperity, resilience, and transformation.
This work has been enriched through active engagement in international forums and regional consultations and as a result of this process, we have identified three key priorities.
First, strengthening integrated water resources management through more robust and weather coordinator governance.
Second, promoting water efficiency, circularity, and the use of non conventional water resources in order to enhance resilience.
And third, advancing the proper valuation of water within the fields of economics, finance, and investment so as to support more sustainable decision making and mobilize the resources required.
Building on these priorities, we are working closely with China to identify a set of flagship initiatives.
We are still discussing the specific details of several proposals.
So at this stage, we cannot anticipate any outcomes, but I can share with you some thoughts from our side.
The first is a global alliance for integrated water resources, planning, management, and equitable allocation aimed at improving coordination among sectoral policies related to water and climate.
While also integrating policies on access to water and sanitation with broader water resources management policies.
The second initiative, focusing on smart water resources, efficiency, and circular economy would seek to promote an innovative management model based on digitalization, water efficiency, water reuse, and other non conventional water resources.
It brings together solutions for cities, agriculture, and industry.
The third initiative focuses on valuing water in economics, finance, and investment.
Its objective would be to integrate the economic, social, and environmental value of water into public policies, economic planning, and investment decisions, while promoting frameworks that support the financing of sustainable water infrastructure, improve water risk management, and help close the financing gap for water.
In conclusion, the preparatory process is progressing steadily.
We have consolidated a shared strategic vision, identified clear priorities, and began to structure initiatives capable of making a meaningful contribution to the outcomes of the 2026 conference.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for the esteemed panelists.
Thank you, Excellency.
This concludes this segment of our program.
Thank you very much.
Now we turn to what we have called Partners in action.
One message has come through clearly is that governments cannot do this alone.
We need international organizations, financial institutions, academia, civil society, and many other working groups.
To moderate this discussion, it's my great pleasure to I To welcome our dear friend Hank Ok.
Hank currently serves with the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, EM and Delhi University of Technology.
Please join him on stage with Her Ecellcy, Jessica Roswell, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and Competitive Circular Economy of the European Union.
Miss Yugita Mumpson, Practice Manager for the Global Water Practice World Bank Group, Mr.
Mahmoud Rodwan, Associate Program Specialist of UNESCO, Mr.
Anthony Slay chair, member and Global Covener of Water Policy Group.
Hank, the floor is yours.
Thank you so much, Sima.
And again, congratulations to the UE and Senegal for co hosting this important conference and to all the co chairs for highlighting their priorities.
Towards the conference, we can, on behalf of the co host, assure that for partners, there will definitely be more time than in the third segment of this important dialogue.
Partners are important to achieve the agenda and the ambitions of the 2026 HN Water Conference.
And without further ado, I'd like to hand four questions for each of the panelists separately.
Miss Roswell, Jessica.
With four interactive dialogue co chairs from the European Union and following the recent launch of the EU water resiliency strategy, how does the EU plan to build on this momentum and continue supporting the preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference and its outcomes? The floor is yours, Jessica.
Thank you very much, Hank, Excellency distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Let me also first say thank you warmly to the co hosts that are organizing this event.
But of course, more importantly, thank you for the work already undertaken with all the co chairs that we also just seen for preparing the UN Water Conference and of course, also shaping this interactive dialogue.
I'm of course very happy to see four European states as co chairs.
So the European Union is determined to support this effort, including by sharing our experiences in sustainable and resilient water management.
Water, we all know is our lifeblood, but it needs better protection and more support.
Our water resilience strategy is our response to this urgent need.
It will serve as our flagship contributions to the conference and in support of the conference preparation and also in close cooperation with Senegal and Ua The EUS is ready to engage in the water resilience dialogues on governance, on finance, nature based solutions, climate resilience, and water use and digital water systems.
We will organize a high level workshop in September to refine policy messages and shape concrete initiatives across several interactive dialogues, and the EU is committed to stronger global water governance that was also raised earlier, and we are also committed to making water a foundation of resilience, prosperity, and effective multilateral cooperation.
Of course, we need to take concrete steps to deliver concrete results.
Beyond 2030, we should work towards a permanent intergovernmental process for water within the UN while better integrating water into climate, biodiversity, and land agendas.
Together, we can protect also our most precious resource for our societies today, but also for future generations tomorrow.
That's a little bit how we plan at the moment.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jessica.
Yes.
And thanks for the commitment of the European Union to water and to the conference to seek its success.
Next, the World Bank, Gita.
The World Bank recently launched its Water Forward initiative.
Can you tell us a bit more about the initiative and how it can help accelerate investments for water, given that is one of the 2026 UN Water Conference key priority areas.
Thank you.
The floor is yours.
Thank you.
Thank you, Hank, for the question, and thank you to the co hosts for the invitation to the World Bank Group to participate in this important event.
Water Forward was launched because the Global Water investment Challenge is urgent and solvable.
Achieving SDG six will require more than $1 trillion annually.
We know that budget allocations to water are woefully inadequate.
We also know that in low and middle income countries, private capital accounts for less than 2% of investment.
Closing this investment gap and one of the reasons for water forward is essential to achieve SDG six.
It is also critical to economic growth, productivity, and the estimated 1.7 billion jobs that depend on reliable water systems.
Mobilizing finance is only part of the challenge.
According to a World Bank Group study, only around 72% of planned public water budgets are actually spent, reflecting persistent constraints in capacity, project preparation, procurement, and implementation.
Water Forward addresses both sides of this equation.
Through a coalition of all the multilateral development banks and other critical partners, we have established a shared ambition to improve water security and resilience for more than 1 billion people by 2030.
Water Forward's focus is on helping countries Create the conditions to mobilize investment and accelerate delivery.
Stronger government led reforms in policies, institutions, and regulations, credit worthy utilities, well prepared projects.
Water forward is also about expanding blended finance, guarantees, green and blue bonds, and other instruments to crowd and private capital at scale.
A central instrument is a country Water Compact.
These government led platforms for greater water security bring together reforms, investment priorities, financing strategies, and accountability in a single framework.
Around which a government and its development partners, financiers and private sectors can align.
We have seen cases where financiers have pointed to compacts saying these are critical in terms of increasing their understanding and ability to invest in countries.
Eight water security compacts have been launched this year, four more expected this week at the Africa Water Forum in Jena, and we understand that a few dozen are being prepared by the UN Water Conference.
Ultimately, water forward is about lasting system transformation.
Mobilizing investment at scale requires resources, reform, institutional capacity, credible partners, and accountability for results.
A water secure future depends on all of this and all of us together.
Thank you.
Thanks so much, Yogita.
And thanks so much to the World Bank leadership on changing also the whole mission approach to water, securing 1 billion people with water in their environment and for themselves by 2030.
Next, Uesco Mahout.
We heard strong calls from ministers today for an inclusive conference with particular emphasis on meaningful youth engagement.
Can you share how Unesco has been working with the co hosts to strengthen youth engagement throughout the preparatory process and in the lead up to the 2026 UN Water Conference? Mahout, the floor is yours.
Thank you so much, Hank, and let me start with get also last sentence on the investments.
Do you know that less than 1% of the international water AD is being spent on youth capacity development and education? Precise, it's $0.85 for every hundred dollars being spent.
We invest more in infrastructures than human capacity that would be able to sustain and operate such infrastructure.
Maybe we know among all of those who are attending today most of you will be attending actually the 2030 on Water Conference, but 2040 on Water conference, most probably those who will be leading it are actually being educated or fail to be educated at the moment.
And throughout the HLPF we have been hearing that the progress on SDG six is actually also is a capacity gap.
So the co host actually understood this very early.
No one that the UE is having more than, I think, like four ministers under 40-years-old.
And I remember in the car January meeting, the preparatory meeting that has been in the closing poll, very bold in the center, it's saying youth water strategy.
We have been all asking, what's the water strategy? And UE reached out, Please can you please advise? How can we help implementing this? And immediately, we worked with UE.
To how can we sustain it? And we told them it's actually coming out of a legacy from the Ninth World Water Forum when Senegal has led the global Youth Movement for water and pushing it forward.
And we met with 60 youth leaders from the movement in Paris in UNESCO's headquarters in May 2025, and they worked on water strategy.
And it's calling only for three asks.
The first one water education and capacity development, the second one, career opportunities and innovation, and the third one is meaningful youth engagement.
We told DE we can help you anchor such water strategy in implementation within UNESCO flagship Initiative.
And last month, within the UNESCO intergovernmental hydrological program, it adopted by consensus, the first UN UNESCO's flagship initiative dedicated to water and youth.
And the simple ask is, we really need to help implementing this further with all the different partners.
All what we want to do is to use the momentum, mobilize member states, development banks, educational institutes, foundations, and youth networks, just not to endorse it, but really to help equip and finance and trust young people to act as agents of change.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mahmud, for this call for youth engagement and active action into the conference.
Last but not least, Anthony Sledger, member of the global convener of the Water Policy Group.
Anthony, the Water Policy Group recently launched a survey of global water leaders.
Could you share in 1 minute more about the survey its key findings and how they can help inform the preparation for the 2026 UN Water Conference.
If that 1 minute is not enough, let's take time after this discussion to do a deep dive into your advice.
Thank you, Hank.
Over the past months, Water Policy Group has been gathering up the experience, perspective, and opinions of ministers, top officials, and other water leaders of as many countries as we can as a different kind of input for the 2026 UN Water Conference.
I'm proud to launch now here are our report on this work, the 2026 Global Water Report, listening to National Water leaders.
This contains the aggregated experience, perspective, and opinions of national Water leaders of 102 countries with all regions well represented.
It points to how the UN Water Conference can provide outcomes that will be most useful at the national level.
This is not like Most such report says it does not embody official positions or the facts of the matter.
Instead, it presents the lived experience of the people who have to solve these water problems in their countries and for their people.
This is a 1 minute summary of what we have heard from them.
The biggest risk they cannot control is climate change.
Having SDG six has been really useful for them, especially for incentivizing in country efforts.
Third, overall, they are quite positive about the future.
Except for ecosystems, only around a quarter of them think the SDG targets cannot be achieved due mainly to the interrelated problems with governance and finance, which we've heard a lot about today.
Fourth, coordination of UN processes really helps them, vindicating the UN system wide strategy.
Next, they do not generally see integration with other sectors as a big problem.
Most of them think that the most useful product from global processes like UN Water conferences is if they can result in guidance on policy and practice.
What a policy group calls this water policy scaffolding.
We think this should be front and center in any new global water framework.
Thank you.
The report has specific summaries for each of the interactive dialogue themes.
The report is just now available online right now, minutes ago.
Please get the link from me or from my W P G friend and colleague, Professor Kenzo Hiroki, also here.
If you, your delegation or organization wishes to be brief personally on the results, please stay back after the session and we will make arrangements for that with you.
Thank you, Tony.
Thank you for launching your report.
I immediately hand it back to Shaya for continuing.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thanks so much and thank you for the distinguished panelists.
I understand we're running out of time, but there is one intervention that we'd like to allow, and that is to the Republic of Tajikistan.
I give the floor to you before we conclude the session today.
Please.
Thank you, Sister Excellencies.
Allow me to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal for their outstanding leadership at the co host of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
For Tajikistan, the road to Abu Dhabi is not the beginning of a new journey.
It's a continuation of global process that has been steadily built through the water action a decade and the Duchambe Water process.
In this regard, I would like to briefly share the outcomes of the fourth Duchambe Water Conference held in Duchambe 25-28 May this year.
Convened jointly by Tajikistan and the United Nations, the conference brought together approximately 2,500 participants from more than 110 countries.
It reaffirmed that the priority now is to accelerate implementation, strengthen cooperation, and mobilize greater investment.
Importantly, the conference was designed to contribute directly to the preparation for 2026 UN Water Conference.
Its program was fully aligned with the six interactive dialogues.
Allow me in this regard to express our sincere appreciation to the co hosts, the co chairs of the interactive dialogue, and all partners who participate in and actively contributed to Duchamb water conference.
The conference adopted the Duhamb Declaration proclamation together with the coach summary and the Dube contribution to the 2026 UN Water Conference.
These documents present practical recommendation and flagship initiative to support the preparatory process.
Looking beyond 2026, President of Tajikistan and his Ecellcy, Mr.
Em Rammon proposed the establishment of a Duhabe Water framework, a forward looking platform to threading global water cooperation beyond 2030.
Building on the achievement of the Water action decade, the Water action agenda and the Duchambe Water P.
This initiative seeks to ensure continuity between 2026 UN Water Conference, the 2027 SDG Summit, and the 2028 UN Water Conference in Duchambe Excellency Water diplomacy has always been about building bridges between countries, sectors, and generations.
Today, we have a unique opportunity to ensure that the momentum created since the 2023 UN Water Conference is translated into tangible progress for people and planet.
In conclusion, Tajikstan rems fully committed to working closely with the United Arab Emirs Senegal, UN member states, and all stakeholders to ensure its successful conference in Abu Dhabi and continue strengthening the global water agenda toward 2028 and beyond.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for our colleagues from Tajikistan.
We very much look towards the alignment and working together to 2028 and really beyond.
To conclude, I know we've kept you so long.
I'll just hand the floor to my colleague doctor Data to give closing remarks.
Thank you.
Just 2 minutes, thank you.
I would like to thank all of you.
Definitely, 26 is the Year of Water.
And regarding the discussions, five point was returned my attention.
First, today can be considered as the launch of the political momentum to our Abu Dhabi UN Water Conference.
And thank you to His Excellency, Balla, for pushing for the direction that we need to take for the water governance.
Second, we not the dedicated and committed coaches country.
And the leadership is very strong.
And thank for also all the time and the inspiration that you bring today at this table.
Third, the political ambitions and outcome now are on the table to discuss.
And let's discuss now from now to Abu Dhabi to see how we can strengthen the political ambition and outcomes of this conference.
Fourth, we saw partners very committed.
Example, we have the EU water resilience strategy.
The Water Forward initiative of the MDBs, the youth engagement, the Global Water Policy Report as contributions, all these shown how the momentum around the UN Water Conference is shaping really an ambition toward the conference.
And the last point is the necessity of coherence, connection, linking and bridging agendas, bridging agendas inside the water community, the Tree Water Conference 23, 26 28, but also linking water to the development agenda, climate change, finance, peace, security, et cetera.
I would like to thank you for this inspiring day, and let's continue to mobilize people but mobilize our leaderships throughout Abu Dhabi.
I thank you