Water's role vital in peacebuilding: UAE

Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, led the UAE's participation in a series of high-level engagements in Geneva aimed at advancing global cooperation on water, climate resilience, and peacebuilding, as part of the UAE's preparations to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.

- 

On 16th October, Balalaa participated in a high-level panel titled "Rebooting the International Peacebuilding System: A Call for Hydro Diplomacy", which was held during the 12th Geneva Peace Week. The session brought together senior international stakeholders to explore the role of water cooperation in driving peace, stability, and multilateral reform.

During his intervention, Balalaa underlined the importance of water diplomacy as a catalyst for regional and international collaboration, emphasising the UAE's commitment to multilateralism and the shared responsibility of addressing global water challenges.

"Discussing water during a Peace Week, rather than a Water Week, sends a powerful message that water lies at the heart of peace and cooperation," Balalaa said.