The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has rolled out "Water Pioneers," a national programme built to arm young Emiratis with the know-how, capabilities and leadership needed to confront water scarcity.
The move fits into the Initiative's wider push to develop human capital and give young Emiratis a bigger stake in the water sector's direction, through a platform combining learning, skills-building, knowledge-sharing and a seat at the table in water discussions at home and abroad.
The first cohort is now accepting applications: 15 Emiratis aged 18 to 35, drawn from varied academic and career backgrounds to bring the range of perspectives needed for cross-disciplinary problem-solving on water issues.
The stakes are rising fast. Climate change and growing demand mean global need for sustainable water could outstrip supply by as much as 40% by 2030. Right now, 2.2 billion people go without safely managed drinking water, 3.5 billion lack proper sanitation, and roughly 4 billion face serious water shortages for at least a month every year.
Ayesha Al Ateeqi, the Initiative's CEO, framed the launch as a long-term investment in Emiratis who can help steer a more sustainable water future. She described water scarcity as a strategic threat to communities' stability and growth, not just an environmental concern, and pointed to young people's creativity and willingness to question the status quo as key to turning that awareness into real solutions.
Youth involvement in climate issues keeps growing, and water resonates as a cause that hits close to home while also connecting young people across borders. Giving them a genuine role in tackling it builds their capacity to act, locally and globally.
Applications close October 7th 2026, submitted through the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative's website.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
