Sectors — Water
Water security is becoming a defining test of resilience and innovation.
Global demand for freshwater is projected to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030. In December 2026, Abu Dhabi co-hosts the UN Water Conference, putting the UAE at the centre of the global push for water solutions.
Where the sector is heading
01
A widening supply gap
Global view
Global demand for freshwater is projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, while 2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water.
UAE lens
The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 aims to cut total water demand by 21%, raise the reuse of treated water to 95% and expand national water storage.
02
Desalination, reinvented
Global view
Water-scarce regions increasingly depend on desalination, and the race is on to make it cheaper, more energy-efficient and more sustainable.
UAE lens
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative is backing the US$119 million XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition, with 143 teams from 29 countries working on next-generation desalination through to 2028.
03
Water moves up the global agenda
Global view
The 2026 UN Water Conference aims to speed up progress on clean water and sanitation for all, linking finance, technology and innovation with partnerships for lasting impact.
UAE lens
The UAE and Senegal co-host the conference in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December 2026, bringing governments, investors, the private sector and academia together on water.
How innovation will shape it
The role of AI and emerging tech
AI and new technologies are helping make every drop count, from cutting losses in networks to lowering the energy needed to desalinate and reuse water.
- AI leak detection and smart metering that reduce water lost across networks
- Lower-energy desalination, new membranes and better use of brine
- Treating and reusing water for industry, cities and farming
- Precision irrigation and water-efficient agriculture
- Digital twins that help utilities plan, monitor and manage water systems
The role of talent
Skills for the next economy
Global view
Meeting the world’s water challenge needs engineers, scientists, data specialists and entrepreneurs who can bring new solutions to market.
UAE lens
With a national water strategy, a global desalination prize and the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, the UAE is creating new opportunities for water talent and innovators.
The sector needs water engineers, data and AI specialists, policy and finance professionals, and young people ready to build the solutions.
How we work with governments and corporates
We design the right format for what you want to advance.
The conversation
Forums, roundtables and leadership dialogues that bring the right decision-makers together.
Investment
Investor platforms, live pitches and curated deal rooms that connect capital with ventures.
Innovation
Accelerators, challenges, innovation sprints and hackathons that turn ideas into solutions.
Partnerships
Partnership strategies and sponsorship programmes that bring corporates, funders and stakeholders on board to back and scale your initiative.
Talent
Youth programmes, skills bootcamps, challenges and forums that equip young people for the future of water.
Reach
Outreach campaigns that scout and engage startups, SMEs, investors and partners across the region and beyond.
Our work in water
Investor Connect
Zayed Sustainability Prize
We help Zayed Sustainability Prize finalists in water find the right investors and buyers, preparing them through an investor readiness programme and connecting them through curated one-to-one meetings and IC Live Pitches.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Regional outreach partner since 2024
We lead the Prize’s outreach across MENA, reaching startups and SMEs with water solutions and encouraging the strongest to apply, and we shape its partnership strategy.
Youth 4 Sustainability
An initiative by Masdar
We design and deliver programmes and forums that equip young people with the skills and connections to build solutions for water security.
Let's design the right format for your goals.
Let's co-create