In a world marked by increasing environmental pressures, few challenges are as urgent as ensuring access to clean, reliable water sources for all. As climate change accelerates, populations grow, and demand intensifies, the issue of water security has evolved from a local concern into a global imperative.
Achieving lasting solutions requires more than regional action – it necessitates a unified approach across all sectors of society, from governments and businesses to individuals.
At Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, we have long recognised that water plays a key role in both survival and progress. Our commitment to sustainable development has driven us to support numerous initiatives that address water access and the management of water resources, especially in the face of growing scarcity.
According to the World Bank, more than 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and the situation is even more critical in the Middle East and North Africa. Home to 15 of the world’s most water-scarce countries, nearly 60 per cent of the region’s population lives in areas facing severe water stress. Furthermore, climate-induced water scarcity could reduce the region’s gross domestic product by up to 14 per cent in the coming decades, underscoring the urgent need for action.
We have been keenly aware of this situation and consistently prioritised water security as a cornerstone of our mission to help developing countries achieve sustainable economic growth. Since its inception, the Fund has allocated more than Dh 7.5 billion (about $2 billion) to water and irrigation projects across 30 countries. These initiatives align with the sixth Sustainable Development Goal, which seeks to ensure universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
From desalination technologies that turn seawater into freshwater to digital tools that help optimise water use in agriculture, technological advancements will play a central role in overcoming water scarcity
One of the key drivers of water security in the 21st century will be innovation. From desalination technologies that turn seawater into freshwater to digital tools that help optimise water use in agriculture, technological advancements will play a central role in overcoming water scarcity.
Therefore, our approach goes beyond financing dams and water networks; we integrate innovative technologies, smarter water management practices, and a commitment to responsible consumption. We believe that solutions such as water recycling, efficient irrigation and desalination hold great potential, but must be supported by solid policies that encourage sustainability, co-operation and conservation at every level.
Water security is not an isolated issue; it is interconnected with energy, food security and climate change. To build a sustainable future, the world must treat water security as a shared responsibility. By working together, we can overcome the challenges of today and ensure a tomorrow where clean, accessible water is available to all, no matter where they live.
The Fund’s impact is evident in projects such as Bahrain’s Al Dour water transmission network, which expanded capacity to 50 million gallons a day, and Jordan’s Kufranja Dam, which bolstered water storage in one of the world’s most water-scarce nations. In Argentina, the Fund financed an Dh294 million water network project that brought clean water to more than 300,000 people in the Santa Fe province.
Similarly, the Samandini Dam in Burkina Faso, rural water projects in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and irrigation-focused dams in Tunisia and Bangladesh exemplify the Fund’s commitment to supporting water security for communities worldwide.
Addressing water security is not just about technical solutions; it requires lasting partnerships across governments, businesses and communities. The UAE, with its decades of experience managing scarce water resources in one of the world’s most arid climates, serves as a model for international collaboration on water security.
These efforts align with the UAE’s broader leadership in advancing global water initiatives. At Cop28, the country announced a $150 million commitment to water innovation, complemented by the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which promotes technological advancements and collaboration. The UAE’s proactive stance was also showcased at last year’s Sixth Arab Water Forum in Abu Dhabi, a platform for addressing regional water challenges. Our country has demonstrated that through innovation, thoughtful governance and global partnerships, even the most water-scarce regions can thrive.
As the UAE prepares to co-host the UN Water Conference with Senegal in December next year, reaffirming its dedication to advancing “SDG 6” on a global scale. The availability of water impacts all aspects of life, from health and agriculture to energy and economic stability. In line with the UAE’s vision and goals, the Fund aims to create lasting solutions that ensure resilience and prosperity for communities worldwide.
At ADFD, we remain committed to investing in projects that increase access to clean water, enhance water infrastructure and build resilience against climate-related challenges.
From advancing desalination technologies to supporting sustainable water solutions in developing countries, we are dedicated to both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Through decisive action, innovation and shared responsibility, we can create a sustainable future and ensure that water remains a resource for generations to come.
The time to act is now – together, we can secure a sustainable future, one drop at a time.
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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