Cairo Water Week Becomes a Key Stop on the Road to the 2026 UN Water Conference

Cairo Water Week Becomes a Key Stop on the Road to the 2026 UN Water Conference

Cairo Water Week is serving as a milestone for the 2026 UN Water Conference. The ninth edition, running 25–29 October, includes a final preparatory session ahead of the conference. The UN conference takes place in Abu Dhabi on 8–10 December 2026, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal.

African coordination

On Sunday, 25 October, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam, who also heads the African Water Facility, met Senegal’s Minister of Water and Sanitation Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, who chairs the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW). They discussed preparations for the conference, stressing a unified African position that reflects the continent’s priorities and aligns with the Africa Water Vision 2063.

Initiatives for Abu Dhabi

Sewilam has said preparations focus on practical implementation through measurable initiatives, strong partnerships and sustainable financing. He noted that the 2023 conference mobilised over 700 voluntary pledges, and that twelve pioneering initiatives had been received for 2026, including efforts to integrate water into climate agendas and expand the African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation.

The conference programme

Six interactive dialogues will anchor the three days: Water for Cooperation, Water for Prosperity, Investments for Water, Water for People, Water for Planet, and Water in Multilateral Processes. Registration is open to all participant categories.

Conclusion

Cairo Water Week gives African and Arab delegations a last large gathering to align positions before Abu Dhabi. With the conference about six weeks away, the focus is shifting from concepts to commitments.

Source: Egypt State Information Service (sis.gov.eg), 25 October 2026; UN-Water, “2026 UN Water Conference: Programme announced,” 14 October 2026; Daily News Egypt.