Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali: “We aim to develop practical approaches to addressing water security challenges
TRENDS Research & Advisory inaugurated its fifth Annual Conference on Sustainable Water Security in Abu Dhabi this morning under the theme Sustainable Water Security: Shaping a Water-Secure Future Through Innovation and Knowledge. The opening ceremony was attended by ministers, senior officials, international experts, and representatives of regional and global organizations. Amid a creative show, the conference launched the Arabic edition of the book, The Coming Storm: Why Water Will Write the 21st Century, by H.E. Sir Liam Fox. The event also witnessed the launch of the TRENDS Water Security Research Competition and the TRENDS Water Security Youth Council.
The opening ceremony and accompanying exhibition were attended by H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Advisor at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Wajib Volunteer Association, H.E. Ali Saeed Al-Neyadi, Chairman of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan Awad Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Justice H.E. Dr. Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General, H.E. Ali Rashid Al-Neyadi, Director General of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, H.E. Major General Suhail Saeed Al-Khaili, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, H.E. Mohamed Suhail Al-Neyadi, Director General of the Weapons and Hazardous Substances Office; Sheikh Dr. Ammar bin Nasser Al Mualla, Education and Technology Attaché of the UAE to the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Humaid Matar Al-Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, H.E. Khalifa Ahmad Al-Ali, CEO of MP3 International, and several dignitaries, undersecretaries of ministries and institutions, editors-in-chief of the Emirates News Agency and newspapers, several sponsoring companies, as well as a large audience of stakeholders, researchers, and students.
Accompanying Exhibition
At the opening of the conference, H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Advisor at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Wajib Volunteer Association, H.E. Ali Saeed Al-Neyadi, Chairman of the National Emergency, accompanied by ministers, senior officials, and distinguished guests, inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which bridges knowledge and practical expertise. The exhibition features the participation of nine government and private entities, serving as an interactive platform that combines academic insight with hands-on experience and highlights national and institutional efforts in managing and sustaining water resources.
The exhibition provides visitors and participants with the opportunity to explore the latest solutions and innovative ideas, while also learning from pioneering models and experiences in water management and the protection of natural resources, thereby strengthening the connection between academic dialogue and practical applications.
The list of participating and supporting entities includes Abu Dhabi Ports Group, ANECO Middle East, Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority, Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi, Hawana, United Arab Emirates University, New York University Abu Dhabi, SEHA, and the Abu Dhabi Youth Council.
The exhibition also features a dedicated pavilion for TRENDS Research & Advisory, showcasing some of its most notable publications and specialized studies, particularly those aligned with the conference themes. The pavilion underscores TRENDS’ pioneering role in producing knowledge and analyzing regional and global issues, while also offering visitors the chance to engage directly with researchers and experts.
The conference and accompanying exhibition together highlight the importance of integrating scientific research with practical implementation, enabling the development of innovative visions to address global water challenges and create sustainable solutions that help shape a more secure future for generations to come.
One of Humanity’s Most Pressing Challenges
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, underscored the importance of addressing water security as one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity in the 21st Century.
He explained that a joint report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, issued in August 2025, revealed that around 2.1 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while nearly 4 billion people — two-thirds of the global population — experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.
Dr. Al-Ali stressed that water security is closely linked to several critical global issues, including climate change adaptation, food systems, economic and political stability, and sustainable development. He pointed out that SDG 6 calls for ensuring access to water and sanitation for all and managing them sustainably, while water security also intersects with other SDGs such as poverty eradication, food security, good health, climate action, and ecosystem protection.
He further noted that organizing this conference aims to present practical approaches to tackling water security challenges by leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to develop innovative solutions to this growing global problem.
Dr. Al-Ali also highlighted that the UAE and Senegal will co-host the United Nations Water Conference from December 2 to 4, 2026, noting that the world looks to the UAE to lead global efforts in ensuring the success of this event, just as it successfully led international climate action during COP28, which culminated in the historic UAE Consensus.
Dr. Al-Ali concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude to the conference’s media partners, sponsors, and exhibitors participating in the accompanying exhibition, as well as to the experts, participants, and speakers contributing to the sessions. He also commended the dedicated TRENDS teams whose efforts made this event a success.
Following his remarks, Dr. Al-Ali invited H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainable Affairs, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to deliver the keynote address.
An Urgent Call to Action
H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainable Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that TRENDS Research & Advisory has become a global intellectual hub, combining rigorous academic research, deep strategic analysis, and scientific diplomacy, thereby contributing to informed decision-making at both regional and international levels.
He stressed that the conference reflects the Center’s mission of providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of ideas to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Balalaa added that the theme of this year’s conference demonstrates a profound awareness of the gravity of the global water situation, noting that the issue is no longer just a topic of discussion but rather an urgent call to action. Water, once seen as a silent crisis, has now become the actual test of a government’s and society’s ability to lead and assume responsibility.
He pointed out that the world is at a critical juncture, with hundreds of millions of people facing water shortages for at least one month each year. Studies also predict that global water demand will rise to unprecedented levels in the coming decades, potentially intensifying crises related to food, health, and economic security.
Highlighting the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative 2024, Balalaa said it aims to address the water crisis through innovation and the development of sustainable technologies. He also noted that the United Nations Water Conference 2026, which the UAE will co-host with Senegal, represents a historic opportunity to accelerate progress toward SDG 6. He emphasized that SDG 6 “is not only a priority in itself but also a catalyst and enabler for all other global development, environmental, and economic goals.”
Balalaa stressed that these challenges make the use of innovation and knowledge an absolute necessity, not a choice. He called for stronger international cooperation to design effective strategies for water resource management and sustainability. Building a water-secure future, he said, requires investment in modern technologies, the development of infrastructure, the promotion of a culture of conservation, and enhanced cross-border cooperation in managing shared resources.
He concluded by affirming that the TRENDS Conference on Sustainable Water Security constitutes a vital platform and a starting point for a new era of water diplomacy and collaborative solutions.
Addressing Water Scarcity Challenges
H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, affirmed that water security is a central priority in the UAE’s national agenda, linking this commitment to the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which reflects the leadership’s vision in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of the future.
He explained that the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi, has established itself as a global leader in deploying advanced technologies to address water scarcity efficiently and on a large scale. He noted that the country’s significant investments in desalination projects have not only increased water availability but also made production processes more efficient and cost-effective. He further highlighted the integration of modern technologies and artificial intelligence tools in water resource management, citing innovations such as ADWE in the development of cutting-edge solutions.
Al-Rumaithi outlined that the comprehensive water security strategy is built around three main pillars: ensuring supply security, maximizing the economic value of water resources, and achieving integration between supply and demand management. These pillars, he said, empower Abu Dhabi to move forward with confidence and strengthen its position as a global model and reference in the water sector.
He emphasized that achieving water security requires more than short-term fixes, calling for systematic management, scalable projects, and long-term commitment. He noted that continued investment in technology and the promotion of an innovation culture are the foundations for safeguarding water resources and setting new global benchmarks in resilience and sustainability.
Al-Rumaithi concluded his address by reaffirming that the UAE, guided by its ambitious vision, is determined to overcome water scarcity challenges through practical solutions, sustained efforts, and forward-looking leadership.
New Initiatives to Foster Innovation and Empower Youth
At the conference’s opening, two major initiatives were announced to advance scientific research and empower young people in the field of water security. TRENDS Research & Advisory launched the TRENDS Water Security Research Competition, an initiative designed to encourage research and innovation on water and sustainability issues, while providing a platform for researchers and academics to showcase their innovative ideas and projects.
The competition targets students, researchers, and experts in the fields of environment, energy, water, and public policy. It encourages participants to submit studies and research papers that propose innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable water security, contributing to the development of national and regional policies in this vital sector.
Representatives of the Scientific Research Department emphasized that the launch of the competition reflects TRENDS’ pioneering role in promoting knowledge and innovation in strategic issues, noting that water challenges demand in-depth analysis and practical, applicable solutions. They added that the competition offers a unique opportunity for researchers to present their findings to global experts and regional and local institutions, strengthening the link between academic research and real-world needs, and helping to build a new generation of innovators in the water sector.
TRENDS Water Security Youth Council
At the start of the first day’s sessions of its 5th Annual Conference on Sustainable Water Security, TRENDS Research & Advisory launched the TRENDS Water Security Youth Council, an initiative designed to empower young people and encourage their active participation in research, development, and solving challenges related to sustainable water resource management.
Zayed Al-Dhaheri, Deputy Chairman of the TRENDS Youth Council, explained that the new council aims to create an interactive platform for young people to engage with experts and specialists from both government and private sectors, exchange ideas, and promote innovative initiatives that contribute to tackling the global water crisis and advancing environmental sustainability.
He noted that the launch of the council during the opening day of the conference reflects TRENDS’ broader strategy of encouraging youth engagement in strategic issues, particularly those related to water security. The council, he added, will provide young people with opportunities to present practical proposals and research, participate in training programs, and attend workshops and dialogue sessions with local and international experts.
Al-Dhaheri emphasized that youth councils in general, and the TRENDS Youth Council in particular, serve as a bridge between academic knowledge and practical application. They provide younger generations with the chance to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to water challenges, thereby strengthening the role of youth in shaping a more secure and sustainable future.
Honoring Sponsors, Partners, and Media Support
In a gesture of appreciation, the conference recognized several distinguished officials, as well as strategic sponsors, partners, and media organizations that contributed to the success of this important event. The conference enjoyed extensive media support from leading national outlets. The National served as the strategic media partner. At the same time, coverage was also provided by prominent media organizations, including the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Aletihad News Center, Gulf News, the UAE Journalists Association, and the Viory digital platform, which brought an innovative digital dimension to the coverage.
This recognition reflects a constructive partnership among research institutions, media organizations, and both government and private sectors, reinforcing the conference’s role as a comprehensive platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and joint action.
Dialogue Sessions
Following the recognition ceremony, the conference moved into its first day of interactive dialogue sessions, which featured three main panel discussions, each focusing on a specific aspect of water security. The conference continues tomorrow (Wednesday) with a rich program that combines scientific discussions with practical showcases in the accompanying exhibition, underscoring TRENDS’ role as a global think tank committed to fostering knowledge-based dialogue, presenting innovative practical solutions, and contributing to building a more secure and sustainable future for generations to come.
