'The numbers are quite shocking': UAE says water security needs to be prioritised

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, tells The National of stark global challenges

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.

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“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, the plant now produces 40 terawatt hours annually – the equivalent of about 25 per cent of the UAE's electricity needs.

Mr Balalaa also emphasised the importance of the UAE’s circular economy initiatives, including efforts to reduce plastic waste in partnership between the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Building on Cop28's legacy

Mr Balalaa highlighted the UAE Consensus, a landmark agreement at Cop28 that called for a global transition away from fossil fuels.

“The efforts led by the UAE presidency at Cop28 was crowned by the UAE Consensus,” he said.

“The transition away from fossil fuel in a just, orderly, equitable manner, is something unprecedented. It never happened in the previous 27 climate summits. And it happened in the UAE.”

Mr Balalaa said the Emirates continued to act as a “bridge builder” in climate negotiations to ensure that commitments made in Dubai were followed through.

The UAE, he said, remains committed to its net-zero targets through diversification of its energy sources.

“We are diversifying from fossil fuel. We are a very reputable, reliable international partner when it comes to renewables, both internationally and domestically,” he said.