The Oasis
In the desert, an oasis is where water creates life. At the 2026 UN Water Conference, the Oasis is the UAE-hosted gathering place, a welcoming space designed for conversation, collaboration and co-creation.
A place where things come together
Here, diverse perspectives meet, new partnerships take shape, and ideas can develop into action. Through dialogue, experiences and shared learning, the Oasis explores water not only as a vital resource, but as a force connecting communities, ecosystems, innovation and economies.
Why now
2.2 billion people lacking safely managed drinking water, 3.4 billion lacking safely managed sanitation, 56% of wastewater safely treated, and more than US$1 trillion a year in water infrastructure investment needed by 2030
The Conference is the culmination of a global process, from the High-Level Preparatory Meeting in Dakar to consultations led by twelve country Co-Chairs.
0–10 December 2026
ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. The Oasis runs for all three days of the Conference.
Free to attend
The Oasis is open to everyone, and one registration form covers the public, professionals and organisations, and media.
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Side conversations expected across the three days.
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Nations expected.
Third in 50 years
Only the third UN Water Conference since 1977, a rare global water moment, with two Global South Co-Hosts.
SDG 6
A UN General Assembly mandate focused on Sustainable Development Goal 6, with a dedicated Interactive Dialogue on investment and finance.
The layout
- The PromenadeArrival, and the Global Water Story told at scale along the concourse.
- The Oasis main stageThe headline programme, across all three days.
- Immersive ExhibitionsThe main floor, and the innovation showcases running through it.
- Country PavilionsNational pavilions and partner spaces.
- Opportunities to ConnectWhere the conversations carry on afterwards.
- DiscoveryYouth experiences and innovation, woven through the journey.
The Conference programme is built around six Interactive Dialogues. Read about the Conference and its Interactive Dialogues.
Water across every sector
The Oasis connects the core water agenda with the wider systems that depend on it.
Core water priorities
The agenda at the centre of the Oasis.
- Water supply and desalination
- Wastewater treatment and reuse
- Infrastructure and networks
- Digital and smart water
- Water security and resilience
- Basin and resource management
Connected global agendas
The wider systems that depend on water.
- Energy
- Food and agriculture
- Climate resilience
- Health, sanitation and hygiene
- Finance and investment
- Industry, nature, cities and communities
Register now
We invite curious thinkers, innovators, pioneers, and leaders from around the world to join us in Abu Dhabi as we place water centre stage at the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Oasis registration is now open. Join us on 8–10 December.
Exhibiting or partnering at the Oasis?
Partnership tiers, exhibition packages, country pavilions and the process behind them: everything an organisation needs to take part.
