Advanced, unedited concept papers for the Interactive Dialogues at the 2026 UN Water Conference have been published on the Conference website.

Prepared pursuant to UN General Assembly resolution 78/327, the papers set out the status, challenges, emerging issues, solutions and recommendations across the six Interactive Dialogue themes:

Water for people

Covering human rights to water and sanitation, including for people in vulnerable situations, and their importance for healthy societies and economies. Co-chaired by Switzerland and Ghana.

Water for prosperity 

Addressing the value of water, the water-energy-food nexus, integrated water resources management, wastewater, water-use efficiency and economic and social development. Co-chaired by China and Spain.

Water for planet

Focusing on freshwater ecosystems, hydrological resilience and alignment across climate, biodiversity, land and disaster risk frameworks. Co-chaired by Japan and Egypt.

Water for cooperation 

Examining transboundary and international water cooperation, scientific cooperation and inclusive governance. Co-chaired by Zambia and Finland.

Water in multilateral processes

Addressing SDG 6, the 2030 Agenda and beyond, and global water initiatives. Co-chaired by Mexico and Germany.

Investments for Water

Covering financing, technology and innovation, and capacity building. Co-chaired by France and South Africa.

The Interactive Dialogues will be a central part of the 2026 UN Water Conference, taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 8–10 December 2026. Co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, the Conference aims to accelerate implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 and strengthen global action on water.

Click here to read the six concept papers