Setting the course for the 2026 UN Water Conference

From 26 to 27 January 2026, a delegation from the Government of the Netherlands took part in the high-level preparatory meeting for the United Nations (UN) Water Conference, held in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting brought together governments, UN entities and key stakeholders to assess progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – clean water and sanitation for all – and to set the course towards the official 2026 UN Water Conference later this year from 2 to 4 December in Abu Dhabi. The Netherlands participated to help shape the agenda, strengthen existing commitments and contribute to the global water dialogue.

The Dutch delegation was led by the Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Meike van Ginneken and included representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Progress on SDG 6 demands urgency

Despite growing political attention, progress on SDG 6 remains off track. During the meeting in Dakar it was re-emphasised that the world is lagging behind on the implementation of SDG 6. This sense of urgency was reinforced by the GLAAS report, launched during the preparatory meeting. Developed by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF and partly financed by the Government of the Netherlands, the report highlights persistent gaps in drinking water, sanitation and hygiene systems worldwide.

Senegal’s role as co-host and leader on water diplomacy

The UN Water Conference 2026 will be co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the conference itself taking place in the UAE. Senegal’s decision to co-host the preparatory meeting and the Water Conference aligns with its broader engagement in international water diplomacy. Water and sanitation are recognised as foundations for economic and social development and the country is increasingly seen as a leader in this field.

In recent years, Senegal has prioritised water diplomacy by hosting major international water events – including the World Water Forum in 2022 – and aligning itself with global initiatives that elevate water on the political agenda. Notably, Senegal’s joined the Heads of State Initiative for Water and Sanitation, which was co-initiated by the Government of the Netherlands during the previous UN Water Conference. The initiative brings water to the highest political level by formalising commitments that countries also prioritise nationally. Co-hosting the UN Water Conference reflects Senegal’s political commitment and international ambition.

“The government of the Netherlands welcomes that Senegal and the UAE are continuing the inclusive, cross-sectoral and action-oriented approach we took in 2023 together with former co-host Tajikistan. At the same time, we must recognise that our role is different now than it was in 2023 and that Senegal and UAE are in the lead to shape the 2026 UN Water Conference.” – Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

Setting the framework for 2026

Preparatory meetings, such as the one in Senegal, play both a formal and substantive role within the UN system. They are embedded in a modalities resolution that defines how a UN conference will be organised. The preparatory meeting in Dakar effectively marked the kick-off of the year leading up to the conference in the UAE in December and set the framework for how this process will unfold.

One of the most anticipated moments was the announcement of the co-chairs for the six interactive dialogues that form the backbone of the UN Water Conference. These interactive dialogues are where the substance is developed. Each dialogue is co-chaired by two Member States. Together, they guide the conversation throughout the year and help determine which concrete outcomes can be achieved during the official 2026 Water Conference.

This year’s interactive dialogues focus on six themes: Water for People, Water for Prosperity, Water for the Planet, Water for Cooperation, Water in Multilateral Processes and Investments for Water.

The Netherlands’ positioning in Dakar

Having played a major role as co-host of the 2023 UN Water Conference, the Government of the Netherlands has chosen a different form of engagement, while continuing to contribute at the substantive level.

That active involvement was clearly visible in Dakar. Water Envoy, Meike van Ginneken moderated a high-level panel discussion during the conference’s opening ceremony. She also contributed to a side event on capacity building, organised with IHE Delft and delivered an intervention during Interactive Dialogue C on ‘Water for Planet’ – one of the key themes for the Government of the Netherlands.

In addition, the Ms van Ginneken participated as a panellist in Interactive Dialogue E on ‘Multilateral Processes’ and was actively involved in the side event, ‘Water at the Heart of Climate Action’. Alongside these contributions, the Netherlands participated in several side events and hosted a high-level Dutch reception on the eve of the conference, bringing together governments, UN organisations, civil society organisations and many other Dutch and international partners.

“The Netherlands has a strong global reputation in the field of water. It is important to demonstrate continued commitment as a trusted partner in international water cooperation,” – Dutch Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

Building on existing commitments

The UN Water Conference and its preparatory meeting are not about negotiated treaties, rather about voluntary commitments and collective momentum. In that context, the Government of the Netherlands focuses on building initiatives and actions that are gaining traction and can be strengthened over time.

One such initiative is the Dutch-led commitment ‘Water at the Heart of Climate Action’. This programme focuses on strengthening cooperation between meteorological services and ensuring that data and early warning information translates into concrete action on the ground to enhance the resilience of local communities. During the preparatory meeting, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a dedicated side event together with the International Federation of Red Cross to showcase the initiative and bring partners together. Retno Marsudi, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water, delivered the opening speech, drawing on her personal experience of flooding in Indonesia. She underlined: “Climate impacts are lived through water – and early, coordinated action matters.”

The moment marked a concrete step forward as Italy announced its decision to join the initiative as a donor, committing €5 million. The Netherlands matched this with an additional contribution of €5 million, reinforcing the ambition to expand the partnership and its reach in the coming years.

The meeting in Dakar also marked an important moment for Aqua4All. This international partnership is supported by the Netherlands through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mobilise private finance for water. During the Dutch reception, it was formally announced that the collaboration with Aqua4All will be extended, entering a new phase of the partnership.

The new phase focuses on scaling up the Making Water Count programme, backed by a €40 million commitment from the Netherlands for the period 2026 to 2029. The programme aims to improve access to drinking water and sanitation services for 11.5 million people, while mobilising up to €350 million in additional investments. This underlines the Netherlands’ continued commitment to using public funds to unlock private investment for water solutions.

From global agreements to practical impact

Although UN processes can appear removed from daily practice, they have practical relevance for the Dutch water sector, as global agreements set the direction and influence national policies. They shape where investments go and which themes gain momentum.

The UN commitment on Early Warning for All is a clear example. Once that goal was agreed at the UN level in 2022, it generated investments and demand for expertise. That has direct implications for organisations working on data, modelling and implementation.

Similar dynamics could emerge around the five global accelerators identified by the UN as critical to achieving the water-related SDGs by 2030. These accelerators highlight areas where additional effort is needed to fast-track progress, including water and climate action, data exchange, financing models, innovation and governance and capacity building – all areas in which Dutch expertise is internationally recognised.

Looking ahead to 2026

The preparatory conference in Dakar was widely regarded as successful, marked by a strong sense of energy and willingness to contribute. That momentum is essential for achieving meaningful outcomes at the UN Water Conference later this year.

“The Dakar Conference showed how the 2023 UN Water Conference has led to concrete action and results – from local actions to larger water initiatives at the European Union (EWRS), the African Union and the World Bank. We need to show results – real impact on the ground – and tell the story of how global gatherings like this translate into action,” Water Envoy Meike van Ginneken

Looking ahead, the focus now lies on translating that energy into clear and concrete commitments in December. At the same time, there is a shared recognition that efforts should extend beyond a single conference, ensuring that water remains high on the political agenda through continued dialogues and follow-up within the UN system.