On the sidelines of a pre-COP29 event, Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Affairs, held a bilateral meeting with Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore, to discuss water management and governance, as well as areas of mutual interest in preparation for the upcoming UAE-Senegal Water Conference in 2026.
Fu highlighted Singapore’s long-standing investments in water management, emphasising the city-state’s advances in drainage, desalination, and water reuse, and stressed that water conservation in Singapore is supported by the absence of subsidies, ensuring efficient usage by the population.
Technology, including biomimicry, also plays a vital role in maximising the efficiency of both water usage and the energy required for desalination.
With the UAE having previously launched the ‘Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative’, which aims to raise awareness on the severity of the global water scarcity crisis, while developing innovati
ve technological solutions to address it, Balalaa also discussed the UAE’s upcoming technology challenge for membrane development, expressing a keen interest in engaging Singaporean companies to participate and exhibit at the event.
The meeting also explored broader water governance issues, particularly in Southeast Asia, with Fu emphasising the need for strong governance to address water losses, infrastructure gaps, and the impact of climate change on water management, especially in agriculture and coastal areas.
She highlighted that governance and policy must complement technological solutions to mitigate water challenges across the region.
Additionally, Singapore invited the UAE to participate in the 2025 edition of Singapore International Water Week, a biannual event dedicated to water innovation and solutions.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation on water technology and governance, with a focus on sharing best practices and driving sustainable solutions.
