2026 UN Water Conference

The 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, is the global moment for action on Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all. It is only the third UN water conference since 1977, the first led by two Global South nations and the first UN conference dedicated to SDG 6, with success measured in partnerships, investment, political commitments and technical solutions.

Two zones

The conference runs on two tracks at ADNEC. The Blue Zone is led by the UN and holds the official agenda of plenaries and side events, with access through UN accreditation. The Oasis is hosted by the UAE and open to all registered attendees, with high-level programming, pavilions and immersive exhibitions. Marquee Oasis programming includes the inaugural Abu Dhabi Water and Power Week, hosted by the Department of Energy.

Six Interactive Dialogues

The official agenda is organised around six dialogues, each co-chaired by two countries. Investments for Water is the first dialogue dedicated to finance at a UN water conference.

• Water for People (Switzerland and Ghana)
• Water for Prosperity (Spain and China)
• Water for Planet (Japan and Egypt)
• Water for Cooperation (Finland and Zambia)
• Water in Multilateral Processes (Germany and Mexico)
• Investments for Water (France and South Africa)

Who attends

The co-hosts invite the whole water community to Abu Dhabi.

• Heads of State, Member States and national delegations
• Private sector and the financial community
• Innovators and academics
• Sponsors and exhibitors
• Civil society, Indigenous Peoples and youth
• Media

Tickets & passes

• The Oasis registration — Free: Open to all; subject to security clearance
• Blue Zone accreditation — Free: Managed separately by the United Nations