Abu dhabi: As part of the preparations to host the United Nations Water Conference 2026, the United Arab Emirates participated in the Africa Water and Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium 2026. During the event, the country emphasised the strategic importance of water to Africa's sustainable development and resilience, and the need to translate political commitment into investments, partnerships, practical solutions, and advanced technologies.
According to Emirates News Agency, Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, led the UAE delegation at the high-level Symposium in Kigali, Rwanda. He participated in the opening plenary on 'Political Leadership, National Reforms and Investment Confidence for Africa's Water Vision 2063'. In his remarks, Balalaa underscored the symposium's role in addressing a critical challenge: the need for stronger pipelines of investable projects and the reforms necessary to attract finance and investment at scale. He noted that this challenge presents an economic opportunity as water systems support jobs, productivity, food security, and long-term prosperity.
Balalaa further highlighted the importance of institutional strengthening, governance by capacity building, and regulatory reform in creating an environment that fosters investment confidence in water and sanitation systems across Africa. The UAE's active engagement in the symposium aligns with its sustained efforts to prioritize water in international discussions on development, resilience, and economic prosperity. From the High-Level Preparatory Meeting in Dakar to other global forums, the UAE has consistently advocated for stronger partnerships, investment, and innovation in the water sector.
The Kigali Symposium contributed directly to the preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will be hosted by the UAE in partnership with the Republic of Senegal in Abu Dhabi. The Conference will serve as an international platform focused on implementation and action. The UAE's participation in Kigali also underscored the importance of African leadership in shaping the global water agenda.
The outcomes of the Symposium are expected to provide substantive inputs to the Conference's Interactive Dialogues, led by African co-chairs, including Ghana, Egypt, Zambia, and South Africa. On the sidelines of the Symposium, Balalaa held bilateral meetings with senior African and international partners to discuss cooperation and partnerships around water and sanitation systems, institutional capacity, investment, and resilience. These discussions aimed to strengthen connections between African governments, financial institutions, international organisations, and other stakeholders.