Registration has opened for The Oasis, the UAE-hosted non-accredited zone at the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will take place at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi from 8-10 December 2026.
The conference is being co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal and is focused on accelerating implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The 2026 event is expected to bring together governments, water innovators, policymakers, investors, international organisations, utilities, technical experts and wider water-sector stakeholders.
The Oasis to run alongside UN-accredited Blue Zone
The conference will include two main zones: the UN-accredited Blue Zone and The Oasis. The Blue Zone will host the official UN conference agenda, including plenaries, side events and six Interactive Dialogues organised by Member States and accredited stakeholders.
The Oasis will be open to wider participants and is designed to bring together people, ideas and technologies focused on practical water action. Programming will include exhibitions, pavilions and sessions covering innovation, finance, policy, partnerships and cross-sector solutions.
“Our ambition for December is clear: to bring the world together on water and build a new future together,” said H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability.
He said Abu Dhabi would be a place where partnerships are formed, investment is mobilised and water solutions gain the support needed to scale.
Focus on water, energy, agriculture and industry
The Oasis will look at how technology, policy, finance and partnerships can deliver impact across water and related sectors, including agriculture, energy and industry.
It will also include the inaugural Abu Dhabi Water and Power Week, hosted by the Department of Energy. The first edition will focus on the water sector, with discussions on technologies, policies and partnerships designed to improve water use and management.
The wider 2026 UN Water Conference is the third global UN water conference of its kind since 1977. It follows the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York and comes as countries face pressure to accelerate action on water access, sanitation, climate resilience, ecosystem protection and financing.
Registration now open
Visitors, exhibitors and media can register for The Oasis via the official 2026 UN Water Conference UAE website.
According to UN-Water, the conference will take place from 8-10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, after revised dates were adopted earlier this year.
FAQs
When is the 2026 UN Water Conference?
The 2026 UN Water Conference will take place from 8-10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Who is hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference?
The conference is being co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal.
What is The Oasis?
The Oasis is the UAE-hosted non-accredited zone running alongside the UN-accredited Blue Zone. It is designed for wider participation from innovators, investors, policymakers, media and water-sector stakeholders.
What is the focus of the conference?
The conference will focus on accelerating implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which covers water and sanitation for all.
Where can people register?
Registration for The Oasis is available through the official 2026 UN Water Conference UAE website.
