Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA is set to strengthen its position as a global leader in water diplomacy and investment at the 2026 United Nations (UN) Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, where the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) will focus on mobilising partnerships, political support and financing for climate-resilient water security.
The conference, convened by the UN General Assembly and co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, will take place from 8 to 10 December 2026. It will bring together world leaders to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all.
GWPO will use the conference to promote the transition from political commitments to practical action, with particular emphasis on preparing water investment projects and securing financing.
A key highlight will be the launch of the Global Water Investment Platform (GIP) De-Risking Facility, which aims to accelerate investment readiness and unlock financing for country-led water projects.
GWPO will also convene and co-convene several high-level events and discussions involving political leaders, governments, financial institutions and strategic partners to advance water investments, cooperation and implementation.
Among the key engagements is the Presidential Summit on Water Diplomacy and Investments on 9 December, which will focus on scaling up the Global Water Investment Platform and launching its De-Risking Facility.
The summit will bring together representatives from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, the African Union Commission, the World Meteorological Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme and several international development finance institutions.
Other discussions will address transboundary water cooperation, artificial intelligence in water utilities, nature-based solutions, water security and human mobility, drought management, agricultural transformation and climate resilience.
GWPO chief executive officer and executive secretary Alex Simalabwi said Namibia had demonstrated that countries facing water scarcity could take a leading role in advancing global water security.
“Namibia shows that countries living with water scarcity can lead the world on water security,” Simalabwi said.
He added that GWPO would work with the Namibian Government and its partners from its global headquarters in Windhoek to translate political leadership into investment-ready projects and financing.
Namibia’s growing international role in water diplomacy has been reinforced by several milestones during 2026. These include hosting the global headquarters of GWPO, being selected to host the 2028 International Network of Basin Organisations World Basin Summit, supporting the launch of a Global Ambassadors’ Forum for water during Stockholm Water Week and convening world leaders on water investment during the 81st UN General Assembly.
The country is also bringing this momentum to the regional level through the 3rd Namibia Regional Water Symposium, held in Swakopmund from 10 to 13 November under the theme of ensuring water security through innovation, collaboration and responsible water stewardship.
GWPO said the conference would also provide an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships and showcase the organisation’s work in advancing water governance, climate-resilient investments and institutional capacity.
The organisation further highlighted the role of its 13 regional water partnerships in preparing countries for investment by strengthening cooperation, governance and institutional capacity, helping translate water priorities into practical investment opportunities.
Graphic: Global Water Partnership Organisation
