At WGES 2025, UAE reaffirmed its global climate leadership with water innovation and finance initiatives ahead of COP30 and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
DUBAI: The UAE showcased its growing global leadership in climate and water innovation during the World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2025, held in Dubai. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, participated in two high-level sessions, reaffirming the UAE’s ambition to accelerate tangible action ahead of COP30 and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
At the Ministerial Roundtable themed ‘Delivering Climate Ambition by 2030 and Beyond’, Balalaa stressed the urgent need to move from agreements to real-world action. “The choices we make now will define climate outcomes for decades,” he said.
He outlined major UAE-led initiatives including the US$30 billion Alterra Fund, the AED 1 trillion sustainable finance initiative by the UAE Banks Federation, and the Africa Green Investment Initiative, which targets 15 GW of clean energy in Africa by 2030. These programmes reflect the UAE’s climate vision following the UAE Consensus at COP28 and its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Through platforms like Masdar, GAGE, and WGEO, and the advancement of Green Sukuk, blended finance, and private capital mobilisation, the UAE continues to drive innovative climate finance solutions at scale.
In another session titled ‘On the Road to the 2026 UN Water Conference’, Balalaa highlighted the global importance of water security and the UAE’s co-leadership with Senegal in shaping the conference’s agenda. He stressed the need to accelerate progress on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), driven by investment and partnerships.
“Water connects all dimensions of sustainable development,” Balalaa said. “Accelerating progress on water through partnership, investment, and innovation will be essential in achieving both SDG 6 and SDG 13.”
Balalaa concluded by reaffirming the UAE’s inclusive approach, involving youth, women, and vulnerable communities as essential partners in sustainable development.
