The UAE has strengthened its strategic partnership with the Netherlands following a high-level official visit focused on energy, water security and climate resilience, as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, concluded a two-day visit to the Netherlands on 7–8 May, meeting with senior Dutch ministers, government officials and leading research institutions. Discussions spanned water management, climate adaptation, energy transition and the interconnected challenges of food and resource security.
Balalaa held talks with the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Director General for Climate and Energy, and the Dutch Water Envoy. He also engaged with institutions including Deltares, IHE Delft, Water Alliance and the Municipality of Rotterdam, with a focus on practical cooperation in water innovation and climate resilience.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, covering education, training, research and knowledge exchange to strengthen water diplomacy ahead of the 2026 conference.
A high-level UAE–Netherlands Energy Dialogue held in Rotterdam brought together government, industry and academic leaders to explore how shifting energy systems are reshaping global supply chains and economic competitiveness.
Non-oil trade between the two countries grew 6.82% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting a broader upward trajectory in bilateral economic ties.
The 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal and scheduled for Abu Dhabi in December, was a central thread throughout the visit, with both sides committing to translating global water commitments into measurable, action-oriented outcomes.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
