UAE named world’s third-best place to live in 2026, ranking first for tax in global index

The global conversation surrounding water is evolving, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the world recognizing the need for action. At the recent 81st UN General Assembly in New York, diverse perspectives converged on the question of building a more resilient, prosperous future in the face of disruption. Repeatedly, water emerged as a central topic, not just as a standalone issue, but as a foundational component of addressing interconnected challenges.

Water plays a crucial role in food security, energy transformation, economic strength, and thriving communities, all of which depend on its reliable access. Recognizing its significance, many have long emphasized integrating water into discussions on climate, food, energy, infrastructure, economic growth, and development. However, water is now being viewed as an integral part of these discussions in its own right, reflecting a significant evolution in the international community's understanding of its relationship to sustainable development.

The challenge is immense. Agriculture consumes approximately 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, and millions of livelihoods depend on water-intensive sectors. When water becomes scarce or unsafe, the repercussions extend far beyond the water sector, impacting food prices, employment, businesses, communities, and investment. The human cost is equally profound, as women and girls in many parts of the world are responsible for fetching water in over 70% of households, often sacrificing education, skill development, and workforce participation.

Water security is fundamentally about people, peace, stability, and human dignity. Disrupted water systems disrupt livelihoods, test resilience, and highlight the importance of cooperation, especially as countries share rivers, aquifers, and water systems. In a period of profound global change, trust between nations and faith in multilateral institutions are increasingly under pressure.

However, water can be a source of pressure or a reason to co-operate and collaborate, particularly at a time when international cooperation is vital.

The UAE, situated in one of the world's most water-scarce regions, understands the importance of water in shaping cities, economies, and futures. This perspective informs the UAE's approach to international cooperation. At the COP28 conference, hosted by the UAE in 2023, the adoption of the UAE Consensus by 198 Parties underscored the value of collective action in addressing interconnected climate challenges, reinforcing the need for practical solutions, international cooperation, and implementation.

Recognizing the disappearing boundaries between climate, energy, food, technology, and water, the UAE has recently launched the Crosscurrents Report, which examines the growing relationship between AI, water, and energy. The report highlights a dual challenge: as digital infrastructure expands, its demand for energy and water will grow, yet AI also offers solutions for better water management, from leak detection to irrigation optimization and drought forecasting.

This broader truth extends beyond AI, illustrating that the systems supporting our economies cannot be planned in isolation. Decisions about energy impact water, water influences food production, industry, communities, and economic growth, and climate adaptation affects all of them. The future will depend on effectively addressing these interconnected issues rather than solving them one at a time.