Cofunded by the European Union

Water4All was represented at the biannual 43rd United Nation Water Meeting held in Rome from 24-26 March 2026 through its partner Human Right 2 Water, which is both a Water4All and a UN-Water partner. 

This UN Water Meeting focused largely on preparations for the upcoming UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this coming December.

Around 200 participants

The meeting saw strong engagement with over 100 participants attending in person, plus another 90 joining online. Attendees included UN-Water members (UN agencies), partners (non-UN organisations active in water research and development), and State representatives, particularly those co-chairing Interactive Dialogues (IDs) for the forthcoming Conference and interested in its preparatory process.

Progress on UN-Water priorities

Day one provided updates across UN-Water’s Priority Collaborative Actions (PCAs). Key highlights included the near finalisation of the SDG 6 Synthesis Report, updates on global campaigns such as World Water Day and World Toilet Day and dissemination plans for the World Water Development Report for 2026 (Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities). Progress was also shared on Joint Country Level Programming, efforts to mainstream water within the Rio Conventions (link Rio Conventions, including the task force on water and climate), the Integrated Monitoring Initiative, and development of an Academic Hub to support the Conference, accessible here.

Day two focused on Conference planning, with contributions from co-hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Senegal, as well as co-chairs for the six Interactive Dialogues. UN-Water Member-led teams are currently developing summary papers and background documents for each dialogue, which are expected to be finalised by the end of July. Co-chairs are developing activities with stakeholders in the lead up to the Conference. While the official Conference dates are yet to be confirmed, there is strong expectation that it will still take place in December.

Day three brought Members and Partners together in small, diverse breakout groups to provide direct input into the Interactive Dialogues, enabling active and collaborative engagement across stakeholders.

Key Takeaways for Water4All

  1. Water Action Agenda Momentum

    The Water Action Agenda, where Water4All has proposed to support monitoring of commitments from the 2023 Conference, will be central to the upcoming Conference, with strong demand for demonstrating tangible progress over the past three years.

  2. Strategic Role in Interactive Dialogues

    Water4All Partnership has been invited to actively contribute to each of the ID themes, particularly on Water for Planet, Cooperation, People, and Investment. Engagement is already underway with multiple co-chair partners.

  3. Opportunity through the Academic Hub

    The emerging Academic Hub presents a valuable platform for Water4All to showcase its research outputs, publications and partnership results.

 

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The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.