emirates7 - Representing President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, headed the UAE delegation to the Africa Water Investment Summit, held from 13th to 15th August in Cape Town, South Africa.
The delegation also included Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs.
Organised by the Republic of South Africa under its G20 Presidency and co-hosted with the African Union Commission, the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), the AU–AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, and the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, the summit gathered global leaders to mobilise investment in climate-resilient water and sanitation initiatives, aiming to enhance water security, foster economic growth, and promote sustainable development across Africa.
As co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference, the UAE joined the event as part of its year-long inclusive and transparent preparatory process for the conference.
In the opening session, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan stated that the UAE considers investment in Africa’s water security an investment in global stability, prosperity, and shared climate objectives. He stressed that the 2026 UN Water Conference aims to unite governments, investors, and other stakeholders to secure tangible agreements and measurable results.
He highlighted that the UAE’s dedication to improving water access in Africa stems from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who made clean water and sanitation a key element of his philanthropic efforts. This legacy continues today through initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, launched in February 2024 to address global water scarcity with innovative technologies.
During the summit, Duma Boko, President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Global Water Changemakers Awards, presented honours to six heads of state and government for their leadership in climate-resilient water investment. The UAE was recognised for its role as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The UAE’s participation also included involvement in a high-level ministerial roundtable and co-leading a plenary session with over 1,000 stakeholders to outline actionable outcomes on water financing and investment for the 2026 conference.
The session was organised in partnership with Senegal, AUDA-NEPAD, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Global Climate Finance Center, and the Global Water Partnership.
The summit took place one month after the adoption, by consensus, of six interactive dialogue themes for the 2026 UN Water Conference, including a dedicated focus on “Investments for Water.”
The delegation also included Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs.
Organised by the Republic of South Africa under its G20 Presidency and co-hosted with the African Union Commission, the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), the AU–AIP International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa, and the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, the summit gathered global leaders to mobilise investment in climate-resilient water and sanitation initiatives, aiming to enhance water security, foster economic growth, and promote sustainable development across Africa.
As co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference, the UAE joined the event as part of its year-long inclusive and transparent preparatory process for the conference.
In the opening session, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan stated that the UAE considers investment in Africa’s water security an investment in global stability, prosperity, and shared climate objectives. He stressed that the 2026 UN Water Conference aims to unite governments, investors, and other stakeholders to secure tangible agreements and measurable results.
He highlighted that the UAE’s dedication to improving water access in Africa stems from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who made clean water and sanitation a key element of his philanthropic efforts. This legacy continues today through initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, launched in February 2024 to address global water scarcity with innovative technologies.
During the summit, Duma Boko, President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Global Water Changemakers Awards, presented honours to six heads of state and government for their leadership in climate-resilient water investment. The UAE was recognised for its role as co-host of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The UAE’s participation also included involvement in a high-level ministerial roundtable and co-leading a plenary session with over 1,000 stakeholders to outline actionable outcomes on water financing and investment for the 2026 conference.
The session was organised in partnership with Senegal, AUDA-NEPAD, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Global Climate Finance Center, and the Global Water Partnership.
The summit took place one month after the adoption, by consensus, of six interactive dialogue themes for the 2026 UN Water Conference, including a dedicated focus on “Investments for Water.”