Type
Side Event
High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference in Dakar: UN-Water SDG 6 Capacity Development Initiative (CDI)
Location
Dakar, Senegal
Date
Duration
1 Days
Programme Area
Other
Registration
Invitation-only event
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-Face
Language(s)
English
Pillar
People
Partnership
UN Water members, United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UNESCO
Event Objectives
The Meeting will aim to:
– Take stock of global progress on integrated water resources management;
– Highlight the importance of cooperative frameworks for climate resilience and water security;
– Formulate concrete policy messages and partnerships to inform the outcomes of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference;
– Strengthen political alignment and multilateral cooperation across governments, UN entities, and stakeholders;
– Advance capacity development as a strategic enabler for achieving SDG 6;
– Promote investment readiness and the development of bankable water projects.
Background
The High-Level Preparatory Meeting for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference will take place as a critical milestone in the lead-up to the Conference, providing a strategic platform to align political priorities and operational pathways for advancing global water action. As water challenges intensify, particularly in vulnerable regions, the Meeting will contribute to shaping a coherent and action-oriented global agenda for SDG 6.
UNITAR, through its Global Water Academy, will engage in this process to advance capacity development as a central pillar for accelerating progress on water and sanitation. The Meeting will also serve as a key moment to strengthen linkages between policy, finance, and implementation mechanisms in preparation for the 2026 Conference.
Content and Structure
The Meeting will be structured as a high-level, multi-track engagement comprising plenary sessions, interactive dialogues, and side events. It will convene senior government representatives, UN leadership, international organisations, financial institutions, and civil society actors.
Key components will include:
– A high-level opening panel to define the political vision and priorities for accelerating the implementation of SDG 6;
– A dedicated side event on operationalising impact through the SDG 6 Capacity Development Initiative, showcasing country-level experiences;
– The launch of the UN Water Conference Academic Hub, aimed at strengthening the science-policy interface;
– A high-level interactive dialogue on “Investments in Water,” focusing on financing mechanisms, enabling conditions, and private sector engagement;
– Bilateral engagements and field visits to strengthen institutional partnerships and regional cooperation.
Across these components, key themes will include:
– Capacity development as a foundational driver of water governance and service delivery;
– Bridging gaps between scientific knowledge and policy decision-making;
– Addressing systemic barriers to water investment, including limited technical capacity and fragmented delivery systems;
– Strengthening investment frameworks through tariff reforms, de-risking instruments, and blended finance;
– Enhancing climate resilience and water security through cooperative approaches;
– Promoting inclusive participation, including youth engagement and representation from the Global South;
– Strengthening institutional partnerships and South–South cooperation.
Methodology
The Meeting will adopt a high-level, multi-stakeholder and solutions-oriented approach, combining political dialogue with technical and operational discussions.
The methodology will include:
– High-level panel discussions to frame strategic priorities and political commitments;
– Expert-led side events to showcase practical implementation models and country experiences;
– Interactive dialogues to facilitate exchange between policymakers, practitioners, and financial actors;
– Knowledge-sharing sessions to bridge science, policy, and practice through initiatives such as the Academic Hub;
– Rapporteur-led synthesis of discussions to capture key insights, emerging trends, and policy recommendations;
– Bilateral consultations and field engagements to strengthen partnerships and contextual understanding.
This approach will prioritise actionable outcomes, cross-sectoral collaboration, and the integration of capacity development into all aspects of water governance and investment planning.
Targeted Audience
The Meeting will bring together a high-level and diverse group of stakeholders, including:
– Government representatives and policymakers;
– United Nations agencies and senior leadership;
– International and regional organisations;
– Development finance institutions and private sector actors;
– Academic and research institutions;
– Civil society organisations and water networks;
– Youth representatives and professional associations in the water sector.
This broad stakeholder engagement will ensure that discussions reflect diverse perspectives and contribute to inclusive, evidence-based, and implementable outcomes for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
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