Please read the summary report here.
Background
The General Assembly, in its resolution 78/327, decided to convene the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the Republic of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, from 2 to 4 December 2026 in the United Arab Emirates.
The Conference will consider challenges to achieving SDG 6 as well as opportunities and innovative ways to support its implementation and accelerate progress. Participants will exchange views, identify actions and develop initiatives to advance SDG 6, including cooperation at all relevant levels to enhance means of implementation and partnerships. The Conference will also mainstream gender perspectives and empowerment of women and girls in ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all.
To support the effective preparation of the 2026 UN Water Conference, the UN General Assembly welcomed the generous offer of Senegal to convene a high-level international meeting in Dakar (78/327, para. 17). The High-level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference (Dakar High-Level Meeting) was held in Dakar from 26 to 27 January 2026, convened by the Republic of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with the United Nations.
The Dakar High-level Meeting was designed to be inclusive and collaborative. It helped spark innovative ideas and initiate constructive partnerships that will carry through to the UAE and beyond. Stakeholders were encouraged to actively contribute throughout the sessions to ensure that all perspectives are heard and taken into account during the two days of deliberations. More information can be found here.
Enhancing Action through Collaboration - One-day stakeholder meeting ahead of the Dakar High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference, 25 January 2026
The One-Day Stakeholder Meeting: Enhancing Action through Collaboration was held on 25 January 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, in connection with the High-level Preparatory Meeting (26-27 January) for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. It was convened by UN DESA, in collaboration with the co-hosts of the 2026 UN Water Conference (Senegal and the United Arab Emirates), the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Water and in partnership with the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW) and the German WASH Network.
This stakeholder meeting provided an inclusive platform for representatives from civil society, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous peoples, women’s and youth groups, persons with disabilities, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to exchange perspectives and contribute to the preparatory process for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Participants had the opportunity to deliberate on strategies to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6, identify practical approaches to strengthen cooperation at all levels, and highlight innovative solutions that advance sustainable water and sanitation for all.
The event also supported the consolidation of stakeholder recommendations to inform the Dakar High-Level Preparatory Meeting and subsequent preparations for the Conference. Through interactive discussions, working groups, and networking sessions, the meeting aimed to foster collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and align key messages that contribute to a successful and impactful 2026 UN Water Conference.
Please find the summary, statements and other relevant outcome documents in the "documentation" tab on this page.
