ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates. The two heads of state examined the relationship between the UAE and Senegal and discussed potential avenues to deepen bilateral collaboration. Their dialogue primarily centered on investment, economic development, and fostering growth, while also covering regional and global issues of mutual concern. The meeting was held in Abu Dhabi on September 17.
During the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed and President Faye also addressed preparations for the upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The event, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, aims to advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation. The leaders emphasized water-related priorities and their significance for economic and social development both domestically and globally.
This conference is a key element of the ongoing cooperation between the UAE and Senegal. The United Nations General Assembly approved the new dates for the event in May, shifting it to December 8 through 10. The conference will feature plenary sessions and six interactive dialogues that will address critical water and sanitation issues. Governments, international organizations, and other recognized stakeholders have been involved in the preparatory activities, with main sessions taking place in Abu Dhabi.
Water Conference as a Pillar of Bilateral Relations
The September engagement built on previous UAE-Senegal interactions concerning trade, investment, and development. On September 4, President Faye held discussions with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dakar, focusing on trade relations and key investment opportunities in priority sectors. The talks also explored ways to enhance economic cooperation and foster broader collaboration. These discussions added to a series of official meetings dedicated to strengthening commercial ties and development partnerships scheduled for 2026.
During his latest visit to the UAE, President Faye also met Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mansour is the UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. Their conversation covered investment cooperation, development projects, and potential avenues to expand the bilateral relationship, along with exchanging views on topics of shared interest. The meeting reinforced the broader agenda outlined during President Faye’s discussions with Sheikh Mohamed.
Prioritizing Economic Growth and Collaboration
Relations between the UAE and Senegal have increasingly centered on investment, trade, and development initiatives this year, with senior officials from both nations engaging in meetings held in Abu Dhabi and Dakar. The two governments have collaborated on preparations for the United Nations Water Conference, including a high-level preparatory session in Dakar earlier in 2026, bringing together governments and stakeholders to outline key priorities ahead of the event in December.
This December conference aims to boost the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 concerning water and sanitation. Current United Nations statistics reveal that billions of people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water or sanitation facilities. The event will focus on issues such as financing, environmental pressures, cooperation, and access to water. For the UAE and Senegal, this gathering marks a significant joint effort within a broader relationship encompassing economic, investment, and development cooperation.