'Water is our lifeblood': Minister highlights UAE's commitment to sustainability, climate action

Responsible water management is one of the key priorities in the UAE's sustainability drive, the country's Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri said in a statement at a UN conference.

"This is a must for a country with an average rainfall ten times lower than the global average, limited freshwater resources and both a growing population and economy,” Almheiri said at the UN 2023 Water Conference.

The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 seeks to ensure continued and sustainable access to water, addressing each dimension of the water supply chain.

The country aims to reduce potable water consumption by 20 per cent and increase the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent. The strategy complements the UAE's Updated Second Nationally Determined Contribution and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy.

“As our nation’s founder the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan taught us, water is not simply a commodity; it is our lifeblood,” Almheiri said.

The UAE is committed to advancing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6 to ensure access to water and sanitation for all, and to accelerating progress throughout the Water Action Decade.

The country is developing and scaling up independent water projects based on reverse osmosis technology while expanding the share of clean and renewable energy in desalination to reduce the environmental impact of desalination. The country is also making substantial progress in reducing water losses and consumption through green building and product standards, building retrofit initiatives, water tariff reform, and public awareness initiatives.

“Innovation is key if we are to address the challenges water presents and to take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Currently, agriculture accounts for 70% of all freshwater withdrawal globally. If we are to shift to a more sustainable pathway, innovation and efficiencies will be inevitable,” Almheiri said.

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The UAE is at the forefront of climate-smart agriculture and food systems, driving the adoption of modern farming solutions such as optimised greenhouse design, hydroponics, and vertical farms. Through the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate, the UAE's joint initiative with the United States, partners have committed $8 billion for investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems benefiting long-term water security.