Media Advisory

UN Water Conference to Mobilize Global Action as Billions Remain Without Clean Water and Sanitation 

Media Accreditation Online Pre-registration closes on 13 November 2026  

World leaders, representatives of the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders will convene at the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 8 to 10 December 2026 to tackle the global water crisis and accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation.  

Access to clean water and sanitation remains out of reach for billions of people. 2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water and 3.4 billion have no access to safely managed sanitation. More than 1,000 children die each day from preventable illness linked to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation. Additionally, rising water demand, conflicts, population growth, and climate change are placing increasing pressure on water resources worldwide.  

The Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal, will be an opportunity to strengthen political commitment, scale up investments and mobilize implementation efforts to build a water-secure future for all.   

The Conference will feature six interactive dialogues that will showcase innovative approaches and provide opportunities for partnerships to accelerate implementation of SDG 6. The dialogues will focus on Water for People; Water for Prosperity; Water for Planet; Water for Cooperation; Water in Multilateral Processes; and Investments in Water.   

Key Links  

Website: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2026 

Media Resources: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2026/media 

Media Accreditation 

Please note the following deadlines for media accreditation:   

Pre-registration online: Journalists must apply by 13 November 2026

Media accreditation is strictly reserved for members of the press (print, photo, radio, television, film, news agencies and online media) who represent a bona fide media organization. Please see the Media section under the Participate tab for full details.   

For more information, please visit the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit’s website or contact them at [email protected] or +1 212 963 6934. 

Social Media 

Join the conversation online by using #WaterAction on social media.  

Follow these accounts for the latest updates:
On Facebook:  United Nations, Global Goals, UN DESA, Sustainable Development                 
On X: @UN, @GlobalGoalsUN, @UNDESA, @SustDev 

Media Contacts 

Ms. Sharon Birch | UN Department of Global Communications | E: [email protected] 

Mr. Martin Samaan | UN Department of Global Communications | E: [email protected]