Kathmandu: Senegal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are co-hosting a high-level preparatory meeting in Dakar ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will take place in the UAE in December 2026.
The meeting, organized in collaboration with the UN and international partners, aims to accelerate global action on water security, sanitation, and sustainable water management, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
The two-day gathering brings together national governments, UN agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, civil society, youth groups, Indigenous communities, academia, and the private sector. Discussions are structured around six key themes: Water for People, Water for Prosperity, Water for Planet, Water for Cooperation, Water in Multilateral Processes, and Investments for Water.
Officials said the meeting will review progress on global water targets, identify gaps, foster partnerships, and generate practical solutions for both local and international water challenges. Special attention will be given to youth engagement, gender equity, Indigenous knowledge, and the use of technology and innovation in water management.
The preparatory meeting will culminate in recommendations to guide the agenda of the 2026 UN Water Conference. Senegal and the UAE, which have jointly led the conference preparations since March 2025, aim to ensure the conference delivers actionable outcomes, investment commitments, and sustainable pathways toward universal access to safe water and sanitation.
