Jeddah: The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, participated in the fifth session of the Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Water, held today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The UAE delegation was led by Ahmed Mohammed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water, and Future Energy Sector.

According to Emirates News Agency, during the conference, the UAE was elected as a member of the Water Council of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This council is tasked with promoting the implementation of the OIC’s vision in the water sector and encouraging technical, research, and scientific cooperation among member states.

In his address, Ahmed Al Kaabi emphasized the UAE’s commitment to supporting the OIC’s efforts in tackling challenges within the water sector, particularly water scarcity, and achieving the sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6), which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

He also underscored the UAE’s initiatives in integrated water resources management, the development of water-related policies, the Water Security Strategy, and other interrelated sectoral strategies such as those for energy, food, environment, and climate neutrality. Additionally, he mentioned the UAE’s global initiatives to combat water scarcity, including the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and preparations for hosting the United Nations Water Conference in 2026.

The OIC Water Council’s vision is centered on achieving a water-secure future for all OIC Member States. Its mission includes building confidence, creating institutional and financial mechanisms, and demonstrating success for potential future cooperation on water security across the OIC. The council’s goal is to develop a framework for water cooperation and strengthen alliances among governments, research and educational institutions, the private sector, and civil society groups.