The 2026 United Nations Water Conference, to be held in Abu Dhabi, offers a unique opportunity to shape global water priorities and accelerate progress towards SDG 6 and the broader 2030 Agenda. As the world’s largest source of freshwater, groundwater is fundamental to drinking water supplies, food production, industry, ecosystem health and climate resilience. Yet despite its critical importance, it remains too often overlooked in international policy discussions.
To help address this gap, the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) has developed a Position Paper for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Prepared through a consultative process led by the IAH Liaison with UN Activities (LUNA) Network and informed by groundwater experts and partner organisations worldwide, the paper sets out key messages and recommendations to ensure that groundwater is fully recognised for its indispensable contribution to achieving the SDGs, supporting the 2030 Agenda, and shaping future global sustainable development priorities. The Position Paper reflects IAH’s commitment to strengthening international dialogue and action on the sustainable management, protection and use of groundwater. It will help guide IAH’s contributions to the Conference and support engagement with governments, UN bodies, stakeholders and partners.
We invite organisations that share these objectives to endorse the Position Paper and join us in advocating for stronger recognition of groundwater in international policy processes
How the Position Paper was developed
The first draft of the position paper was drawn up in mid-2025 in preparation of the 2026 UN Water Conference by the IAH LUNA Network and subjected to the following process:
- LUNA review
Discussion and review by the members of the LUNA network, and publication of the first draft of the position paper on the LUNA website;
- Executive Committee review and public consultation
Following a first review by the IAH Executive Committee, the position paper was revised and published on the LUNA website in September 2025 for consultation and feedback;
- Groundwater Matters webinar series
In 2026, the LUNA network, in collaboration with the UN-Water Groundwater Expert Group, organised the three-part “Groundwater Matters” webinar series. The webinars examined the role of groundwater in sustainable development and the means of achieving it, e.g., through concerted and integrated water management, as well as preparing for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Feedback received through these discussions contributed to improving the position paper.;
- Discussion at the IAH 2026 World Congress
The revised position paper was presented and discussed in Budapest on 16 September 2026 during a one-hour plenary session entitled “Groundwater at the Heart of the 2026 UN Water Conference: IAH Positions and UN Perspectives”, held as part of the IAH 2026 World Congress on Groundwater. Following the presentation of the IAH position paper, a high-level panel moderated by the organisers discussed the six Interactive Dialogues and exchanged ideas and views aimed at advancing the SDGs and the position paper, informed by dialogue with conference delegates. The position paper was then revised accordingly;
- Final approval
The position paper was then submitted to the IAH Executive Committee for final consideration and was formally approved on 8 October 2026, becoming IAH’s official contribution to the preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
