The UAE is a "firm believer" that water is under-prioritised worldwide, and the country's co-hosting of the UN Water Conference in 2026 is a reflection of its growing focus on securing the vital resource.

The Emirates is hosting the international event alongside Senegal to sound the alarm over growing problems around water security worldwide.

“The numbers are quite shocking: about 3.5 billion people around the world will experience no accessibility to water for at least one month every year by 2030,” Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, told The National.

“The UAE is rallying international efforts to bring water back where it belongs. Hopefully, by 2026 we will bring something unprecedented, the way we did with Cop28 [in Dubai].”

Climate negotiators from nearly 200 countries are gathering at the Cop30 summit in Belem, Brazil. Bloomberg

The country's delegation in Belem, where Cop30 is being held, aims to continue shaping the international climate agenda, support Brazil’s presidency and build on the success of Cop28.

About 50,000 people from more than 190 countries have descended on the Amazon city to attend the two-week event. The UAE delegation is headed by Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Mr Balalaa.

“We, as a country, believe in climate change and the implications of climate change that the whole world is facing. And from that belief we hosted Cop28,” Mr Balalaa said.

“We’re here to play a role on the international climate agenda, support Brazil's presidency of Cop30 and ensure the remarkable success that took place in the UAE continues to have a positive impact globally.”

Nuclear progress

“We have issued declarations on doubling nuclear by 2050, and our nuclear champion, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, is playing a leading role,” Mr Balalaa said.

“Artificial intelligence and technologies are embedded in everything we do – from early warning systems to oil and gas and renewables.”

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

He pointed to major domestic projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Al Dhafra Solar Project, as well as the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which contribute to the country’s clean energy mix.

The Barakah plant in Abu Dhabi had its first unit plugged into the national power grid in August 2020.

Five years on