Abu dhabi: The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has convened the second chapter of its global Source-to-Sea initiative in the Republic of Korea, gathering policymakers, scientists, international organizations, and industry leaders to advance integrated water governance ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
According to Emirates News Agency, the seminar was held in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and received support from the UAE Embassy in Seoul. It was led by Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, and featured participation from Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Sang-Hyup Kim, Executive Director of GGGI, and Hyosung Ha, Deputy Director at Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE).
This event follows EAD's launch of the initiative at the High-Level Political Forum in New York in July and will continue across various locations, concluding at the UN Water Conference this December. Under the theme "Different Waters, One Current," the seminar explored how countries can better integrate freshwater, coastal, and marine management through a Source-to-Sea approach, recognizing water as a continuous system from inland sources to the ocean.
In her keynote address, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri emphasized the significance of integrated water management in addressing global environmental challenges. She noted that water acts as nature's ultimate connector, flowing from inland aquifers to coastlines, and highlighted Abu Dhabi's experience with a Source-to-Sea model that combines circular water management with marine conservation. Recycled water supports over 1,600 farms in Abu Dhabi, the Liwa Strategic Water Reserve stores 26 million cubic meters of water, and the emirate is progressing towards 100% wastewater reuse by 2026. Additionally, Abu Dhabi protects the second-largest dugong population globally and has achieved a 100% Sustainable Fishing Index.
The seminar included contributions from Korean and international partners such as K-water, the Blue Carbon Research Center, and GGGI, showcasing innovative approaches to water reuse, coastal ecosystem protection, and sustainable water management. The Source-to-Sea seminar concluded a five-day EAD delegation visit to Korea, led by Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri.
During their visit, the delegation engaged with Korean government entities, research institutions, and environmental organizations focused on water management, climate action, and environmental innovation. Discussions with the Vice Minister of Korea's MCEE explored national climate and environmental priorities and opportunities for deeper UAE-Korea cooperation in areas such as water, sustainability, and environmental governance.
The programme also included meetings with members of the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, representatives from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, K-water, the Green Climate Fund, and leading climate and research institutions, reflecting the expanding scope of environmental collaboration between the UAE and Korea.
As the UAE prepares to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi from 8th to 10th December, EAD's Source-to-Sea initiative continues to build international momentum around the principle of managing water as the interconnected system that nature intended. Through dialogues in New York, Seoul, COP, and ultimately Abu Dhabi, the initiative is bringing together global partners to advance more integrated approaches to water, climate, and biodiversity stewardship.