The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted, without a vote, a resolution outlining the modalities of the UN 2026 Water Conference. The Conference will be co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will take place in the UAE, from 2-4 December 2026. It aims to help accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation).

Titled, ‘Modalities of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference to Accelerate the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all,’ the resolution (A/78/L.110) was adopted on 6 September 2024. By the text, “all costs relating to the Conference and its preparation shall be financed through extrabudgetary resources.”

According to UN Meetings Coverage, some delegates expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the negotiations, the last-minute introduction of some paragraphs, and the lack of reference to the need for adequate civil society representation, among other reservations. It was also noted that the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, referenced in the resolution, was not agreed upon by Member States.

By the terms of the resolution, the UNGA decides that the outcome document of the UN 2026 Water Conference will be a summary of the proceedings by the Presidents of the Conference, “to reflect the diversity of Member States’ perspectives and present a balanced approach.” It will focus on areas of accelerated and collective action to support SDG 6 implementation.

By the text, the Conference shall, inter alia:

• Focus on actions to accelerate the achievement of SDG 6, while reaffirming the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
• Identify possible challenges and obstacles, as well as opportunities and innovative ways and means to support SDG 6 implementation and the acceleration of progress;
• Exchange views and develop actions and initiatives needed for accelerating progress;
• Support further concrete action and initiatives to enhance means of implementation, partnerships, and cooperation at all relevant levels; and
• Share ongoing efforts, best practices, and experience gained in the acceleration of SDG 6 implementation.

The Conference will invite Member States and stakeholders to announce voluntary commitments contributing to the objectives of the Conference. It will involve all relevant stakeholders from government, the UN system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions (IFIs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, the scientific community, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and other actors, to assess challenges and opportunities relating to SDG 6 implementation and to support further action to accelerate its achievement.

The Conference will contribute to the mainstreaming of a gender perspective in ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all and to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.

The resolution also includes procedural modalities and organizational arrangements for six collaborative, multi-stakeholder interactive dialogues, to be held in parallel to plenary meetings.

Annexed to the resolution are a provisional agenda of the UN 2026 Water Conference (Annex I), proposed organization of work (Annex II), and provisional rules of procedure. [Publication: Modalities of the 2026 UN Water Conference to Accelerate the Implementation of SDG 6]