Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating high-impact water projects, unlocking new investment opportunities, and advancing innovation across the global water sector.
The platform is designed to mobilise up to USD 2 billion (AED 7.34 billion) from local and international financing institutions. ADFD will commit an initial USD 1 billion (AED 3.67 billion) over five years, from 2026 to 2030, with the ambition of benefiting around 10 million people worldwide.
At its core, the initiative seeks to strengthen water and food security in developing countries, expand access to clean and safe water, and support pioneering technologies for sustainable water resource management. It also aims to foster strategic partnerships and co-financing arrangements, reinforce environmental sustainability, and improve quality of life, positioning the UAE as a leading contributor to global development efforts. The platform aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
H.E. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said the initiative reflects the UAE leadership’s vision for addressing global development challenges. “The launch of the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform reinforces our 2030 strategy and our mandate to deliver sustainable, high-impact solutions. Through this platform, we aim to deepen engagement with the international community to secure essential water resources for future generations,” he said.
Al Suwaidi also called on local and international partners to collaborate through joint financing, strategic partnerships, and knowledge exchange. “Together, we can accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions that enhance water security and empower developing nations to meet future challenges,” he added.
Fatima Ateeq Al Mazrouei, Director of the Support Services Department at ADFD, said the platform is grounded in strategic studies and global benchmarking that identified mounting challenges in the water sector. She emphasised that long-term water sustainability requires coordinated action at both local and international levels.
Looking ahead, Al Mazrouei noted that ADFD plans to strengthen the platform’s global role through cooperation agreements for high-impact water projects, financing innovative water security programmes, supporting scientific research and youth-led initiatives, and organising awareness seminars on water-related challenges.
The Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform will deploy a range of financing instruments, including development loans, private sector investment support, export financing and guarantees, and equity investments. This diversified approach is intended to provide flexible, tailored solutions aligned with project needs and the priorities of beneficiary countries.
The launch marks a significant milestone for ADFD, underscoring water security as a strategic development priority and reinforcing its commitment to delivering sustainable water solutions and long-term benefits for communities worldwide.
