UN Water Conference 2026 — Pass the Water

2026 is a decisive year for water

The 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi is a critical moment to accelerate SDG 6, strengthen global water governance and keep water high on the political agenda.

After 46 years without a UN Water Conference, the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York brought water back to the centre of multilateral attention. Its follow-up has already helped move the global water agenda forward, including through the appointment of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Water, the launch of the UN System-Wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, and the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Yet the world cannot afford another pause. The global water crisis is intensifying as climate change, pollution, overuse and weak governance put people, economies and ecosystems under growing pressure. The hydrological cycle is under unprecedented stress. A new UN report speaks already of water bankruptcy instead of a crisis.

The message is clear: we need accelerated action, stronger cooperation between countries, actors and sectors and a regular intergovernmental process for water.

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Date

8–10 December 2026

Location

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Venue

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)

Co-hosts

United Arab Emirates and Senegal

Focus

Accelerating the implementation of SDG 6 and strengthening coordinated action across the global water agenda

The Campaign

#PassTheWater

#PassTheWater complements the 2026 UN Water Conference process by mobilising water champions and stakeholders from all groups. The campaign builds visibility, creates momentum and invites people to pass the ball — and their message to act now — to leaders, decision-makers and water champions around the world.

The campaign was co-created and tested with stakeholders during the Advocacy Design Lab at the Dakar One-Day Stakeholder Meeting, held on day zero of the High-level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Together, participants explored key messages, discussed non-negotiables and refined the campaign mechanics.

Stakeholder Engagement

A real team for water

Solving the water crisis requires a real team: complementary expertise, diverse perspectives and meaningful participation from all regions and stakeholder groups. Inclusive engagement is not an add-on to the process — it is essential for building shared ownership and lasting outcomes.

The German WASH Network has teamed up with the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW) and UN DESA to support stakeholder engagement throughout the Water Year 2026 and on the road to Abu Dhabi.

A first major milestone was the Dakar One-Day Stakeholder Meeting. The meeting brought together more than 250 participants from over 150 organisations, including stakeholders, Member States and representatives of the UN system, underscoring the central role of inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement in advancing the global water agenda.

Ahead of the meeting, outreach reached more than 100 stakeholder networks across the globe. Stakeholder teams were formed around the six Interactive Dialogues of the 2026 UN Water Conference, contributing think pieces, online consultations, facilitated group discussions in Dakar and stakeholder statements during the High-level Preparatory Meeting. Stakeholders were not left on the sidelines — they became part of the game.

Summary Report & Documentation →

One Day Stakeholder Meeting · Dakar, 25 January 2026

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2026 UN Water Conference

2026 is a decisive year for water

#PassTheWater

A real team for water

Team Up For Water