The Delegation of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, together with the EU–GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project, successfully hosted the 2nd EU–GCC Finance & Investment Forum for Green Transition under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Finance Week, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

During the forum, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean H.E. Dubravka Šuica and EIB Vice-President Mr. Ioannis Tsakiris met with UAE officials and stakeholders to discuss ways to accelerate the green transition in the Gulf and Mediterranean regions, including through enhanced cooperation in the water sector.

The EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the UAE expressed their intent to explore collaborative opportunities, such as joint investments in sustainable water infrastructure and innovation—covering water supply, sanitation, desalination, wastewater treatment, and water-use efficiency—aligned with climate and development goals. Initiatives like the Pact for the Mediterranean and the forthcoming TMED project underline the EU’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the Mediterranean and Gulf regions in areas such as climate finance, renewable energy, hydrogen, and clean-tech supply chains.

The parties also affirmed the importance of advancing global water and climate resilience efforts, including opportunities linked to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in December 2026 in the UAE.

Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean:
“Today in Abu Dhabi, the EU and GCC partners reaffirmed our shared commitment to lead the green transition—with water at its core. By joining EU expertise, resources and ambition with those of our Gulf partners, we can accelerate sustainable growth and promote prosperity across our wider region. This cooperation is a key pillar of the Pact for the Mediterranean and of the deeper strategic partnerships we are building together.”

H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability of the UAE:
H.E. Balalaa emphasized the importance of deepening UAE–EU cooperation across the water-energy-climate nexus. He highlighted the UAE’s integrated approach to water and energy security, renewable energy deployment, and investments in technologies that advance shared resilience objectives—areas where collaboration with the EU continues to grow both regionally and globally.

He welcomed the EU’s efforts to strengthen water resilience, including the recent launch of the EU Water Resilience Strategy, and noted the UAE’s active participation in its consultations earlier in March 2025. Furthermore, he invited EU institutions and partner organizations to engage in the preparatory process for the 2026 UN Water Conference—a pivotal moment to mobilize joint investments in integrated water-energy-climate solutions—and looked forward to welcoming them to the UAE in December 2026.

Ioannis Tsakiris, EIB Vice-President:
“Water is central to sustainable development and a key focus of the EIB’s climate action. Guided by the Pact for the Mediterranean and the European Water Resilience Strategy, we aim to accelerate investments that expand access to clean water and build climate resilience. We look forward to continuing discussions on how shared ambitions can be turned into impactful initiatives for a more water-secure future.”