Under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Abu Dhabi prepares to host a landmark event aimed at positioning the emirate as a global hub for water and energy innovation, supporting its 2050 sustainability targets amid rising global demands.
Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) is preparing to host a major event , Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week , from May 19 to 22, 2026. The event is set to unfold at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and aims to position Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for innovation in the interconnected water and energy sectors. It also supports the UAE’s broader strategic goals for sustainable development by the year 2050.
This upcoming Water & Power Week arrives just ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE will co-host with Senegal this December, right there in Abu Dhabi. It builds upon the successes of the World Utilities Congress and continues to reinforce the emirate’s leadership in creating resilient, secure, and sustainable networks for water and power , sectors that are increasingly under pressure from rapid population growth, urbanization, and technological progress. Honestly, the demand for electricity is expected to double by 2050, and water needs are projected to grow by around 40%. This really highlights how urgent it is to develop innovative solutions, backed by clear policies and investments.
The event serves as a platform for a diverse group of stakeholders , government officials, private-sector leaders, experts, policymakers, investors, and innovators. The DoE says Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week will foster partnerships through five main forums: the World Utilities Congress, which focuses on power grids, water security, cooling, and urban demand; a summit organized by the DoE to discuss regulations; a water innovation summit under The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative; a fintech and investment summit connecting financiers with emerging opportunities; and an AI and future technology summit highlighting breakthroughs and practical applications.
Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, the Chairman of the DoE, emphasized that the event echoes Abu Dhabi’s ambitions for sustainable and resilient progress. During the announcement, he pointed out that the week “reinforces Abu Dhabi’s leadership in innovation and collaboration,” contributing to developing frameworks and solutions that boost resource security, encourage investment, and inspire future generations. The event is also geared towards speeding up advances in grid stability, inclusive growth, water tech innovations, and technological progress overall , all crucial for preparing the region’s water and energy sectors to face future challenges.
A highlight will be the inaugural water innovation-focused summit organized by The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. This summit aims to bring together global leaders, innovators, funders, and policymakers to confront water scarcity through next-generation technologies and financing tools. And interestingly enough, it also seeks to amplify the voices of youth and frontline innovators, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to international cooperation and coordinated water security efforts.
Abu Dhabi’s role as a key global hub for energy, water, and tech is further illustrated by the DoE’s recent international outreach. Earlier in 2025, a delegation from the department visited the United States to deepen cooperation across energy, water, and technology sectors. That visit resulted in agreements on knowledge sharing, pilot projects involving AI, energy storage, and water efficiency, plus commitments for US institutions and companies to participate in Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week 2026. This kind of collaboration is part of a broader strategy to incorporate global best practices into Abu Dhabi’s sustainability efforts, blending innovation with conservation.
The 2026 event aligns with key national frameworks like the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and the 2050 Water and Energy Framework. These strategic plans aim to diversify energy sources, ramp up renewable energy use, and secure water resources, all while promoting economic growth. The DoE has laid out a comprehensive plan for sector development through 2050, with the goal of transforming Abu Dhabi into a global example of efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. This all comes at a time when the emirate’s GDP has already crossed the one trillion dirhams mark, underscoring how critical efficient utilities are for continued growth.
There will also be showcase projects demonstrating advanced ideas like energy efficiency in industry and smart cooling systems aimed at reducing energy use and emissions. The DoE’s role in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, underneath the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ signals its ongoing commitment to harnessing latest technologies, like AI, to promote sustainable progress.
Plus, financial strategies and investment frameworks are going to be front and center during the event. The DoE recently partnered with the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC) to launch consultations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. These gatherings aim to raise funds and build partnerships necessary to accelerate water tech deployment and meet both national and global water goals. Senior officials from finance, utilities, and innovation sectors took part in roundtables, concluding with a memorandum of understanding to support the UAE’s 2030 water targets and to contribute meaningfully to global climate and water efforts.
All in all, Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week 2026 looks set to be a pivotal moment not just for the UAE but for the entire region. It embodies Abu Dhabi’s vision to lead global efforts on energy, water, and tech innovation, supported by strong policies and international partnerships. The event is expected to spark discussions, foster investments, and forge collaborations that will help secure a resilient, sustainable future for vital water and power resources, especially as the world faces growing demands and climate-related challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://abudhabimagazine.ae/department-of-energy-to-launch-abu-dhabi-water-power-week-in-may-2026/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/energy/under-the-directives-of-khaled-bin-mohamed-bin-zayed-department-of-energy-to-launch-abu-dhabi-water-power-week-in-may-2026/ – Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) is set to launch the Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week from 19-22 May 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). This initiative aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for innovation in the water and power sectors, enhancing water security and supporting the development of resilient, sustainable power networks. The event seeks to unify efforts across public and private sectors, enhance collaboration, and attract experts and decision-makers to explore the future of these vital sectors, aligning with the UAE’s 2050 strategies for water and energy. Discussions will focus on grid stability, inclusive growth, water innovation, and technological advancement through supportive policies and strategic investments. The programme includes forums such as the World Utilities Congress, a DoE-led summit, a water innovation summit hosted by The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, a fintech and investment summit, and an AI and future tech summit. These initiatives aim to address global challenges, including the anticipated doubling of global power demand and a 40% increase in water demand by 2050, driven by rapid population growth, urbanisation, and technological advancements. The Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week is aligned with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and national water security goals, supporting the 2050 Energy and Water Framework to future-proof both sectors in the UAE and beyond.
- https://doe.gov.ae/Media-Centre/News/Abu-Dhabi-Department-of-Energy-delegation-visits-US-to-enhance – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) delegation visited the United States to enhance cooperation in energy, water, and technology sectors. The agreement focuses on reducing network losses, scaling next-generation desalination technologies powered by clean energy, and fostering a culture of conservation, reaffirming the positioning of the UAE and Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for sustainable utilities. The mission resulted in the signing of cooperation frameworks, the establishment of joint task forces, the launch of knowledge-sharing programmes, and the implementation of pilot projects in AI, energy storage, and water efficiency. Agreements were also made to host US institutions and companies at the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Week 2026. The DoE aims to leverage this visit to adopt global best practices across energy, water, and agriculture, establish a business development platform in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and forge strategic partnerships with leading research centres, universities, entrepreneurs, investment companies, and sovereign funds.
- https://doe.gov.ae/Media-Centre/News/Department-of-Energy-and-Aldar – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has announced their participation as the principal partner of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and hosted by Masdar, the event will take place from January 12 to 18, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). With the theme ‘The Nexus of Next. Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ ADSW 2025 will bring together world leaders, policymakers, experts, investors, entrepreneurs, and youth from across the globe. The event will emphasise the transformative role of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, in shaping the future of the energy sector. It will encourage knowledge exchange, explore new opportunities, and accelerate sustainable development on a global scale. As the principal partner, the DoE aims to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in energy and sustainability. Through their participation, the DoE will showcase their pioneering efforts to drive sustainable growth, advance innovative solutions, and support the UAE’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- https://gcfc.com/news/gcfc-and-abu-dhabi-department-of-energy-launch-2026-un-water-conference-consultations/ – The Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) launched the first official consultation for the 2026 UN Water Conference during the World Utilities Congress. The session, opened by H.E. Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, focused on mobilising finance and partnerships to achieve national and global water goals. The roundtable brought together senior voices from finance, utilities, industry, and innovation to identify priority actions to accelerate water technology deployment and investment pathways in the UAE. The session also marked the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GCFC and DoE, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership to help the UAE meet its 2030 water targets and shape a compelling contribution to the global agenda on water and climate. This is the beginning of a series of consultations leading up to 2026, where GCFC will drive forward a sustained dialogue focused on solutions, finance, and delivery.
- https://www.doe.gov.ae/en/Media-Centre/News/Abu-Dhabi-Department-of-Energy-unveils-strategic-framework-for-energy-water-sector-through-2050 – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) announced its comprehensive strategic framework for the energy and water sector through the year 2050. The announcement was made during its participation in the 2025 World Utilities Congress, at ADNEC Abu Dhabi Center, with the participation of decision-makers, senior officials, and experts in energy, water, and sustainable technologies. This announcement comes in light of the rapid economic growth witnessed by the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its GDP surpassing the one trillion dirham mark, reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing economies globally. The energy and water sector has played a vital role in supporting this exceptional growth. Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, stated, ‘This strategic framework represents a comprehensive roadmap for the future of the energy and water sector in the Emirate. It is built upon an ambitious vision aimed at transforming the sector into a global model of efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, in line with our wise leadership’s aspirations to build a diversified, net-zero economy by 2050.’
- https://www.doe.gov.ae/en/Media-Centre/News/Abu-Dhabi-Department-of-Energy-participates-in-World-Utilities-Congress-2025 – Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has announced its participation as a key supporter of the World Utilities Congress 2025, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 27th to 29th May 2025. The event is organised by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company ‘TAQA’. This year’s congress is held under the theme ‘Innovating for a New Age of Utilities’ and serves as a leading international platform bringing together top decision-makers, experts, and innovation leaders in the energy and water sectors from around the world. The congress aims to discuss future trends and showcase the latest solutions and technologies that enhance the security and sustainability of energy and water supplies. The Department of Energy is participating through its dedicated pavilion under the slogan ‘Energise, Grow, Sustain’ where it will showcase a series of pioneering projects, policies, and strategies. A key highlight will be the Abu Dhabi Energy Sector Ambition 2050, and the Department will also spotlight the Industrial Sector Energy Efficiency Accelerator project, designed to speed up the adoption of energy-saving solutions in the industrial sector. The project focuses on building local capacity by assessing facilities’ performance in terms of energy efficiency. Among the department’s innovative initiatives is the Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) project, a new model for building cooling services that eliminates the need to purchase or maintain equipment. This ambitious programme is expected to yield significant reductions in both energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 24 November 2025, and pertains to an event scheduled for May 2026, indicating high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan are unique to this report, with no prior matches found online, suggesting originality.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Abu Dhabi Magazine, a publication that appears to be a local news outlet. While it provides detailed information, its credibility may be considered lower compared to international news agencies.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The event aligns with Abu Dhabi’s ongoing initiatives in the water and energy sectors, and the involvement of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative adds credibility. However, the lack of coverage by other reputable outlets raises some questions.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a recent and original announcement about the Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week scheduled for May 2026. While the quotes are unique and the event aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic goals, the source’s lower credibility and the absence of coverage by other reputable outlets warrant further verification. The involvement of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative adds some credibility, but the lack of broader media coverage suggests a need for caution.
