UAE’s Amna Al Dahak: Innovation and Sustainable Finance Strengthen Global Water Security Amidst Urgent Need for Action
Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the critical role of technological innovation, sustainable financing, and effective partnerships in ensuring global water security. Speaking on World Water Day, she highlighted the necessity of transforming water challenges into opportunities for growth and alleviating human suffering.
Commitment to Global Water Security
Dr. Al Dahak articulated that the UAE’s approach reflects its commitment to leading a global movement aimed at enhancing the sustainability of water resources. This initiative aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to empower individuals and ensure their access to clean water as a fundamental right.
She noted that the theme for this year’s World Water Day, “Where water flows, equality grows,” underscores a pressing reality. According to recent data, 2.1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water near their homes. Women and girls in many regions spend approximately 250 million hours each day collecting and transporting water, time that detracts from their opportunities in education and employment. Furthermore, over a billion women lack safe water services, with 380 million residing in areas experiencing severe water stress.
Urgent Call for Action
Dr. Al Dahak described these statistics as an urgent call for decisive action. She asserted that the solution to alleviate the suffering of affected communities lies in technological innovation and sustainable financing. The provision of clean water through modern groundwater extraction technologies, desalination, and the purification of natural sources is essential for granting equal opportunities for growth.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative
The UAE is spearheading international efforts to combat water scarcity, as highlighted by the ‘Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.’ This initiative positions the UAE at the forefront of global efforts to enhance cooperation and develop sustainable water technologies. Launched to address the global water scarcity crisis, the initiative reflects a commitment to transforming challenges into actionable solutions. This commitment is evidenced by the allocation of $150 million to combat water scarcity, which includes the launch of the ‘XPRIZE Water Scarcity’ competition, offering a prize purse of up to $119 million for innovative solutions to improve seawater desalination efficiency and reduce costs.
Dr. Al Dahak remarked that the UAE’s efforts extend beyond technological innovation to include significant environmental initiatives. The ‘Clean Rivers’ initiative aims to tackle water pollution and waste, actively working in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines to enhance community resilience and ensure the sustainability of rivers and natural water sources.
UAE Water Security Strategy 2036
On a national level, Dr. Al Dahak highlighted the UAE’s pioneering model in integrated water resource management through the ‘UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.’ This strategy aims to reduce total water demand by 21% and increase the reuse of treated water to 95%, while also focusing on optimizing water consumption and enhancing natural resources.
She explained that the UAE adopts eco-friendly technological solutions to ensure sustainable water supplies, particularly through the expansion of sustainable reverse osmosis technologies in desalination plants. This approach not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances operational efficiency to meet growing demand and support the nation’s development trajectory.
Dr. Al Dahak stressed that sustainable water management is intricately linked to the agriculture and energy sectors, emphasizing that rationalizing water use in agriculture is a national and global priority.
Global Partnerships Towards the UN Water Conference 2026
Dr. Al Dahak also addressed the UAE’s role in mobilizing international efforts, culminating in the launch of the ‘Sustainability Impact Forum’ during the World Governments Summit 2026. This forum, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, focuses on “Partnerships for Sustainable Water.”
She stated that this theme reflects a collective commitment to water and consolidates the UAE’s strategy to transform water challenges into opportunities for cooperation. The forum highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations to deliver equitable and sustainable solutions in the water sector.
Dr. Al Dahak concluded by noting that the UAE, in collaboration with the Republic of Senegal, is preparing to host the UN Water Conference 2026 in December. This conference aims to serve as a pivotal global platform for transitioning from pledges to implementation, accelerating efforts to ensure safe water access for all, and directing investments towards infrastructure projects and environmental initiatives, including ecosystem protection and clean rivers.
As reported by menews247.com, Dr. Al Dahak’s message to the world is clear: water is not merely a challenge; it is a vital catalyst for peace and the lifeblood sustaining our planet.
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Published on 2026-03-22 19:49:00 • By Editorial Desk
