The UAE and the Netherlands have advanced efforts to strengthen strategic cooperation in trade, energy, water management, climate adaptation and other key sectors during an official visit by Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The visit focused on enhancing bilateral engagement in energy and water ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2026.
During the visit, Balalaa held meetings with senior Dutch officials, including the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Director General for Climate and Energy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and the Dutch Water Envoy.
Non-oil trade between the UAE and the Netherlands increased by 6.82 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, reflecting continued growth in bilateral economic relations. Balalaa also met representatives from leading Dutch institutions and national entities, including Deltares, IHE Delft, Water Alliance and the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Discussions with research institutes focused on expanding practical cooperation in water management, climate resilience and innovation. Talks covered accelerating solutions to water scarcity, strengthening resilience to climate-related impacts and promoting integrated approaches across the water-energy-food nexus.
Ensuring continuity from the 2023 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Tajikistan, was a key focus as the UAE advances preparations for the 2026 conference.
The discussions highlighted the importance of translating international commitments into practical solutions through stronger partnerships, increased investment and greater private sector engagement, while recognizing water as a critical economic and development resource and a driver of sustainable development.
The efforts are aimed at accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) and delivering action-oriented outcomes.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
As part of the visit, the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) and the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in water diplomacy and capacity building.
The MoU will explore collaboration in education, training, research and innovation, knowledge exchange and talent development, supporting broader efforts to strengthen institutional and individual capacities ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference and beyond.
The visit also included a high-level UAE-Netherlands Energy Dialogue in Rotterdam, where Balalaa delivered opening remarks and met senior representatives from government, industry and academia.
The dialogue examined how evolving energy systems are reshaping global markets, supply chains and economic competitiveness, while underscoring the growing interdependence between energy, water and food security.
Participants also discussed opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation, mobilize investment and advance practical public-private partnerships across interconnected sectors.
Abdulla Balalaa Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs – Energy and Sustainability
“The next chapter of global resilience will not be written by those who wait for clarity, but those who build it. For the UAE, this is about designing resilience into systems that underpin our economies, ensuring they are connected, adaptive, and built to withstand a more complex global landscape.”
Balalaa reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to working closely with the Netherlands and international partners during the 2026 UN Water Conference to advance practical, inclusive and innovative outcomes, in line with the UAE’s efforts to promote multilateral cooperation and accelerate sustainable development.
Ameirah AlHefeiti, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, pointed out that the visit helped explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy, water and food security. She noted that the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi would be a key milestone and welcomed the Netherlands’ strong interest and expected high-level participation in the event.
The visit builds on longstanding UAE–Netherlands cooperation, including collaboration in the energy sector, and further positions both countries to address evolving global challenges related to energy systems, supply chains and resource security through integrated and forward-looking approaches.
