Photo Credit: WAM
Dubai, UAE — May 2026 — The UAE has concluded high-level talks with the Netherlands aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across energy, water sustainability, and climate resilience, as both nations prepare for the UN Water Conference 2026.
According to the Emirates News Agency, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, Abdulla Balalaa, wrapped up an official two-day visit to the Netherlands on May 7–8, during which he held a series of meetings with senior Dutch government officials.
His meetings included the Minister of Trade and Development Cooperation, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Director General for Climate and Energy at the Ministry of Trade and Climate Policy, and the Dutch Special Envoy for Water Affairs.
Speaking on the visit, Balalaa said: “The next phase of building global resilience will not be led by those who wait for clarity, but by those who move to create it. For the UAE, that means designing resilient systems that are interconnected, adaptive, and capable of meeting the complexities of the global landscape.”
Discussions focused on advancing practical cooperation in water resource management, climate adaptation, and innovation, including accelerating solutions to water scarcity, strengthening resilience against climate change impacts, and adopting an integrated approach to the water-energy-food nexus.
On the trade front, the visit came against a positive economic backdrop. Non-oil trade between the UAE and the Netherlands rose by 6.82 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.
Balalaa also met with representatives of leading research institutions, including Deltares, the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, the Water Alliance, and the Port of Rotterdam.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and IHE Delft.
The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in water diplomacy and capacity building, and covers education, training, research, innovation, knowledge exchange, and talent development, supporting institutional and individual capacity building between the two countries ahead of the UN Water Conference 2026.
The visit also featured a high-level UAE-Netherlands Energy Dialogue held in Rotterdam, where Balalaa delivered the opening remarks.
The dialogue focused on the impact of emerging energy systems on global markets, supply chains, and economic competitiveness, while highlighting the close interconnection between energy, water, and food security.
A central theme of the talks was ensuring the continuity of outcomes from the 2023 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Tajikistan, as the UAE prepares to host the 2026 edition in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Republic of Senegal.
UAE Ambassador to the Netherlands Amira Al Hefeiti described the visit as very timely, adding that it opened new avenues for cooperation beyond the energy-water-food nexus.
She expressed satisfaction at the strong interest shown by the Netherlands in the UN Water Conference 2026, and looked forward to broad Dutch participation and high-level representation at the event.
Balalaa reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to working closely with the Netherlands and international partners to achieve practical, inclusive, and innovative outcomes at the UN Water Conference 2026, in line with the country’s efforts to accelerate multilateral cooperation and sustainable development.
