Session 01 - From Event to Process: Why the Road to 2026 Matters

In this opening episode of Pathways to UN Water 2026: A UN in UAE Knowledge Series, three senior leaders explore why the preparatory process leading up to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference matters as much as the event itself. Shaima Gargash, Director of Energy and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, UAE, outlines how the UAE is driving early engagement as conference co-host and why meaningful participation must begin now. Madhu Chatterjee, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, explains the architecture of the Conference - including the six interactive dialogues that will define its agenda - and why the road to December is where political commitments and strategic alignment are being built. Ziad Khayat, Vice-Chair of UN-Water and representative of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, demonstrates how regional processes are shaping the global water agenda and translating national priorities into international impact. #SDG6 #UNinUAE #UNWC 🔔 Subscribe to follow new episodes every two weeks.