{
  "id": 6157877,
  "title": "Private sector could play major role in tackling water scarcity, UAE official says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/private-sector-could-play-major-role-in-tackling-water-scarcity-uae-6157877",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T18:09:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/09/07/private-sector-could-play-major-role-in-tackling-water-scarcity-uae-official-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A senior UAE official has emphasized the potential of the private sector to tackle global water scarcity. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, made this remark during a media briefing to promote the third UN Water Conference in December. The conference will gather global policymakers, private investors, and young voices in Abu Dhabi to discuss solutions for the water crisis. Balalaa highlighted that while the UAE has achieved 100% coverage for safe water and sanitation, the country is still faced with water scarcity as it obtains most of its water through desalination in a region known for its water scarcity. Globally, 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, 3.4 billion do not have access to sanitary sanitation, and 1.7 billion lack basic hygiene services at home. The time is now to make investments for the future, Balalaa stressed. The Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030, is currently off-track. The global financial gap for this goal is estimated at $6.7 trillion. Currently, 90% of the total spending on the water sector is from governments and public capital. Balalaa suggested that the private sector could help alleviate this burden while providing an opportunity to deploy water projects. The conference will focus on the final dialogue – Investments for Water, aligning with the theme of \"Water x Investment\". The UAE is hosting the conference to address the growing concerns of urbanization and population growth, which will only exacerbate water scarcity. Balalaa urged everyone to play their part in water conservation, urging the population and community to use this resource moderately and efficiently. The UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from December 8 to 10. It will feature a UN-led Blue Zone and a UAE-led zone called The Oasis, engaging the public through various activations.",
  "summary": "The private sector could hold the key to solving the problem of global water scarcity, a senior UAE official has said. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, was speaking at a media briefing on Monday to promote the third UN Water Conference in December, which will take place in Abu Dhabi , with global policymakers, private investors and young voices…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Private sector could play major role in tackling water scarcity, UAE official says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/private-sector-could-play-major-role-in-tackling-water-scarcity-uae",
        "published": "2026-09-07T18:09:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}