2026 UN Water Conference: A Global Commitment to Achieve SDG 6

The 2026 United Nations Water Conference, set to take place from December 2-4, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marks a pivotal moment in the global push for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, this crucial event will rally investment, innovation, and political will to secure a water-safe future.

As the world enters the final five years of the 2030 Agenda, ensuring universal access to water and sanitation remains a pressing issue. This conference will serve as a key milestone in evaluating progress, addressing challenges, and fostering international cooperation.

Importance of SDG 6 and the 2026 UN Water Conference

SDG 6 is fundamental to human health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The 2026 conference will emphasize:

• Scaling investments in water infrastructure.
• Encouraging innovation in water conservation and management.
• Strengthening international cooperation to address global water challenges.
• Enhancing resilience against climate change impacts on water resources.

With an urgent need for collective action, the conference aims to inspire governments, businesses, and civil society to unite in achieving global water security.

Key Themes of the Conference

Building on the 2023 UN Water Conference, the 2026 UN Water Conference will focus on six interactive dialogues, expected to cover:

1. Water for Health – Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as human rights.
2. Water for Sustainable Development – Water’s role in economic and urban growth.
3. Water for Climate and Resilience – Addressing water’s impact on climate change, biodiversity, and disaster risk reduction.
4. Water for Cooperation – Strengthening transboundary water agreements and partnerships.
5. Water Action Decade – Fast-tracking global commitments through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan.
6. Emerging Issues in Water Governance – Addressing policy, financing, and digital solutions for water security.

Organizational Session – March 2025

To prepare for the 2026 UN Water Conference, an organizational session will take place on March 3, 2025, at the ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, New York.

Session Details:

• Date: March 3, 2025
• Location: UNHQ, New York (ECOSOC Chamber)
• Time: 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00
• Webcast: Available on UN Web TV

Member states, UN entities, and observers will discuss the themes for six interactive dialogues, refining the agenda ahead of the 2026 conference.

Participation and Registration Details

For Member States and UN Observers

• Participation is open to all UN Member States, Observers, and UN entities with valid UN Grounds passes.
• National delegations must coordinate access through their Permanent Missions to the UN in New York.

For Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC can attend.
• Oral statements may be allowed for selected NGOs.
• Registration deadline for NGOs: February 24, 2025.
• Others can follow the event virtually via UN Web TV.

To register, delegates must use the UN eDelegate Portal: https://edelegate.un.int.

Role of NGOs and Stakeholders

Civil society organizations and NGOs play a vital role in shaping water policies. Their participation in the 2026 conference will help:

• Advocate for community-led water solutions.
• Provide ground-level insights on water challenges.
• Influence policy recommendations through interactive dialogues.

Stakeholders can submit recommendations for Interactive Dialogue themes via: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2026/stakeholders.

Conclusion

The 2026 UN Water Conference in the UAE is a critical step toward achieving SDG 6 and global water security. With less than five years remaining in the 2030 Agenda, urgent action is needed to scale investment, foster innovation, and enhance international collaboration.

To stay updated, visit the official UN 2026 Water Conference page: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2026.

Internal Links:

• Learn more about UN Water Conferences:
• Explore sustainable water solutions:
• Read about climate resilience and water security:

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By leveraging global collaboration, the 2026 UN Water Conference will be a defining moment in ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Stay informed and be part of the change!