NYU Abu Dhabi has hosted a discussion on how promising water technologies can move from the laboratory into real-world use, with a keynote from His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa, the UAE’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability. The NYU Abu Dhabi water technology event, titled Water Technology for the 21st Century, took place on Thursday 5 November and brought together speakers from research, industry and infrastructure.
The discussion took place ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE and Senegal will co-host in Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December. The conference will focus on accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6, which covers the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Minister calls for closer links between research and investment
In his keynote, Balalaa challenged the research and innovation community to consider how new ideas could be turned into solutions that make a tangible difference. He said universities, start-ups and established businesses all have a role, but that stronger connections between research, entrepreneurship, investment and industry are needed to bring technologies to market.
“The world does not suffer from a shortage of ideas. Researchers and innovators are already developing solutions that could fundamentally change the way we understand, manage and value water. The challenge is ensuring that these ideas can move beyond laboratories and pilot projects into the communities, cities and water systems that need them,” he said.
“That requires closer collaboration between scientists, governments, industry, investors and operators. Universities such as NYU Abu Dhabi have an essential role to play, bringing together disciplines and perspectives, connecting research with innovation and entrepreneurship, and creating spaces where experts and emerging voices can work together on solutions to shared challenges. Universities are places where disciplines meet, ideas are challenged, and new possibilities emerge. They can help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and practical application, while preparing the next generation to lead this work.”
He also pointed to an opportunity for the UAE to share its experience internationally, while creating routes for technologies developed in the UAE and elsewhere to reach new markets.
NYU Abu Dhabi water technology panel on scaling innovation
The panel was moderated by Henro Mans, Associate Director at Miral. The speakers were:
- Dr Shehab Al Muharrami, CEO, TAQA Water Solutions
- Professor Nidal Hilal, Director, NYUAD Water Research Center
- William Janssen, Co-Founder and CEO, Desolenator
Technologies discussed included advanced membrane systems, hybrid treatment technologies and AI-enabled optimisation. The panel also covered opportunities to reduce the energy demands of desalination and to recover valuable resources from wastewater.
A central theme was the gap between innovation and implementation. Speakers said that taking technologies to scale requires access to investment, opportunities for testing and demonstration, supportive policy frameworks, and partnerships with utilities and industry. According to the organisers, the discussion also highlighted the UAE’s growing role as a place where innovators can test, develop and scale solutions.
Tours of university research centres
Balalaa and other guests, including NYU Trustee Rima Al Mokarrab and research students, toured the NYUAD Water Research Center, led by Professor Hilal. They also visited the Mubadala Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ACCESS), led by Professor John Burt.
Researchers at the two centres work on desalination, water treatment, environmental science and other technologies relevant to water security, the university said.
Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi, said: “Water security is one of the defining questions for this region and the world. New technologies are opening up real possibilities but moving them from the lab into everyday use takes research, industry and government working together. Our researchers are working on this across engineering, science and policy, from desalination and water treatment to the climate and environment of the Gulf, often alongside partners here in the UAE. We are proud to bring those voices together, and look forward to sharing our research at the UN Water Conference next month.”
University role at the UN Water Conference
The 2026 UN Water Conference will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). It will be only the third UN Water Conference since 1977 and the first led by the Global South.
NYU Abu Dhabi said it will contribute through activations at The Oasis, the conference’s hub for innovation, ideas and collaboration, as well as through participation across the wider programme. H2O Global News has previously reported that registration has opened for The Oasis public zone, which is available via the conference website.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Water Technology for the 21st Century event?
It was a discussion hosted by NYU Abu Dhabi on Thursday 5 November 2026 on how technology, entrepreneurship and investment can accelerate solutions to global water challenges. It opened with a keynote by His Excellency Abdulla Balalaa.
Who spoke on the NYU Abu Dhabi water technology panel?
The panel featured Dr Shehab Al Muharrami of TAQA Water Solutions, Professor Nidal Hilal of the NYUAD Water Research Center and William Janssen of Desolenator. It was moderated by Henro Mans of Miral.
Which water technologies were discussed?
Speakers discussed advanced membrane systems, hybrid treatment technologies and AI-enabled optimisation. They also covered reducing the energy demands of desalination and recovering valuable resources from wastewater.
When and where is the 2026 UN Water Conference?
The conference will take place from 8–10 December 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. It is the third UN Water Conference since 1977 and the first led by the Global South.
How will NYU Abu Dhabi take part in the UN Water Conference?
NYU Abu Dhabi will contribute through activations at The Oasis, the conference’s hub for innovation, ideas and collaboration, and through participation across the wider programme.
