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Caribbean
Preparing the ground for water investment
How regional partners cooperate to strengthen investment readiness.
GWPO at the UN 2026 Water Conference
2026 UN Water Conference: From commitments to action for climate-resilient water investments
8–10 December 2026 | Abu Dhabi, UAE
Event
2026 United Nations Water Conference
Dates
8–10 December 2026
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Convened by / Co-hosts
UN General Assembly / United Arab Emirates and Senegal
Published
Convened by the United Nations General Assembly and co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, the UN 2026 Water Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi on 8–10 December 2026. As world leaders gather to accelerate progress on SDG 6, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) will focus on turning commitments into action – mobilising political leadership, partnerships and financing for climate-resilient water security.
At the heart of GWPO’s engagement is the launch of the Global Water Investment Platform (GIP) De-Risking Facility, designed to accelerate investment readiness and unlock financing for country-led water investments. The conference will also provide an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships and showcase GWP’s role in advancing water governance, financing for climate resilient water investments, and capacity.
GWPO at the UN 2026 Water Conference
GWPO will convene and co-convene high-level events and discussions throughout the Conference, bringing together political leaders, governments, financing institutions and strategic partners to advance water investments, cooperation and implementation.
A key highlight is the Presidential Summit on Water Diplomacy and Investments on 9 December, focused on scaling up the Global Water Investment Platform and launching its De-Risking Facility.
Date, time & place
Event
Conveners
Find out more
8 Dec
12.00–13.15
Room 5
Water for Prosperity in Asia-Pacific: Scaling Circular Water Solutions for Sustainable Development
Japan Water Forum; The Singapore Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment / Public Utilities Board; Water Resources Planning Division, MLIT; ESCAP; Asian Development Bank; GWPO; Australia Water Partnership; Finnish Water Forum; DHI
8 Dec
17.15–18.30
Room 12 · ID 51
Transboundary Water Cooperation Delivers: Commitment Across Borders to Achieve SDG 6
Republic of Namibia
9 Dec
8.30–9.45
Room 6 · ID 72
Scaling Nature-based Solutions through Water Cooperation: Mobilising Partnerships, Science and Finance for Water Security and Climate Resilience
The Republic of Zambia; The Republic of Finland; The Federal Republic of Germany; Bangladesh; Federal Republic of Brazil; The Republic of Malawi; UNECE; GIZ GmbH; IUCN; AMCOW; GWPO; WWF Zambia; WaterAid; ZAMCOM; IWMI; UNICEF Zambia; World Bank
9 Dec
8.30–9.45
Room 6 · ID 78
AI in Water Utilities: From Hype to Responsible Transformation
IWA; Grundfos; Africa Development Bank; AquaFed; GWPO
9 Dec
10.15–11.30
Room 2 · ID 85
River of Security, River of Life, River of Happiness
IAHR; INBO; UNICE; ICFM
9 Dec
10.15–11.30
Room 4 · ID 87
From Water Intelligence to Water Resilience
WMO; GWPO
9 Dec
10.15–11.30
Room 8 · ID 91
Water Security and Human Mobility: Investing in Resilient Futures
IOM; UNICEF; Deltares; GWPO; RVO-DRRS
9 Dec
13.45–15.00
Room 13 · ID 129
Transforming Agriculture with and for Water: A Pact driven by Communities, Innovation and African Partnerships for Land Restoration, Water Security & Sustainable Development
GWP West Africa; UNCCD
9 Dec
15.30–16.45
Room 4 · ID 137
Unlocking Water Resilience: Integrated drought management, land restoration and private-sector solutions
UNCCD; GWPO
9 Dec
15.30–16.45
Room 13 · ID 146
Flagship event
Presidential Summit on Water Diplomacy and Investments: Scaling up the Global Water Investment Platform and De-Risking Facility (TBD)
GWPO; Republic of Namibia; Republic of South Africa; Republic of Zambia; African Union Commission; WMO; UNDP; UNCDF; ECLAC; African Development Bank; Asian Development Bank; AUDA-NEPAD
9 Dec
17.15–18.30
Room 12 · ID 162
Investment Summit: Scaling up GIP Global De-Risking Facility for Climate-Resilient Water Security, Sanitation, Innovation and Technology
Republic of South Africa
Featured water investment stories from the Global Water Partnerships
Turning partnerships into water investments
Water investment starts long before financing arrives. The 13 GWP Regional Water Partnerships show how cooperation, governance and capacity help countries prepare investment opportunities and turn water priorities into action.
1–3 of 13
GWPO and the Partnership
Regional story image
Central Africa
From planning to investment opportunities
The governance and partnerships that help turn plans into action.
Regional story image
South Asia
Turning water priorities into investable programmes
Practical steps towards investment mobilisation.
Interactive Dialogues
The Conference will feature six Interactive Dialogues, addressing key areas for accelerating progress on SDG 6.
A
Water for People
Safe water and sanitation unlock opportunities, especially for women and girls, who often bear responsibility for collecting water.
B
Water for Prosperity
Water-dependent sectors support an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide. Valuing and investing in water drives lasting growth.
C
Water for Planet
Healthy rivers, lakes, wetlands, groundwater and glaciers help regulate the climate, support biodiversity and reduce disaster risk.
D
Water for Cooperation
More than 40% of the world depends on rivers, lakes and groundwater shared by two or more countries.
E
Water in Multilateral Processes
Global water commitments have grown, but implementation remains uneven. Stronger coordination, financing and accountability can deliver results.
F
GWPO focus
Investments in Water
GWPO is particularly engaged in this dialogue, co-chaired by France and South Africa.
Launching the GIP Facility
A new pathway from investment readiness to finance
The Global Water Investment Platform (GIP) De-Risking Facility, designed to accelerate investment readiness and mobilise financing for climate-resilient, country-led water investments.
The Facility will be launched on 9 December, bringing together political leaders, financing institutions and strategic partners to strengthen commitments and unlock new investment opportunities.
Stay tuned for more on the Facility.
Launching the GIP De-Risking Facility
Global Water Investment Platform
A new pathway from investment readiness to finance
At the heart of GWPO’s engagement is the launch of the Global Water Investment Platform (GIP) De-Risking Facility, designed to accelerate investment readiness and mobilise financing for climate-resilient, country-led water investments.
The Facility will be launched at the Presidential Summit on Water Diplomacy and Investments on 9 December, bringing together political leaders, financing institutions and strategic partners to strengthen commitments and unlock new investment opportunities.
Stay tuned for more on the Facility.
News and event articles
News and event articles from GWP’s engagement at the UN 2026 Water Conference will be published here. Stay tuned!
GWP regional articles
Event – GWP Mediterranean
16 October 2026
News · Pre-conference
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
1 December 2026
Event article · During
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore
9 December 2026
News · After conference
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation
12 December 2026
Event article · During
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore
9 December 2026
News · After conference
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation
12 December 2026
Event – GWP Mediterranean
16 October 2026
News · Pre-conference
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
1 December 2026
Event article · During
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore
9 December 2026
News · After conference
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation
12 December 2026
Event article · During
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore
9 December 2026
News · After conference
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation
12 December 2026
Resources
Description
Videos
Conference videos and the GIP De-Risking Facility explainer will be added here as they are released.
Introducing the GIP De-Risking Facility
GWPO at the UN 2026 Water Conference
Water Action Agenda
From commitments to action
The 2026 Conference builds on the Water Action Agenda launched in 2023, with a focus on turning commitments into concrete progress towards SDG 6. Through the GWP Network, partners contribute by strengthening cooperation, water governance and the foundations for country-led water investments.
Get involved!
Explore the initiatives, stories and conversations connected to GWPO’s engagement at the Conference.
Act Now for clean water and sanitation
Be part of the global movement for water! Take simple actions to conserve water and inspire others to act for a water-secure future.