ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye engaged in talks in Abu Dhabi on September 17. Faye was visiting the United Arab Emirates on a working trip. The leaders assessed bilateral ties and explored avenues for increased collaboration between the UAE and Senegal. Their discussions encompassed investment, economic relations, and development initiatives. Additionally, they shared perspectives on regional and international issues of common concern.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed a warm welcome to Faye and highlighted areas where both nations already collaborate actively. The economic dimension of their meeting was a central focus. The presidents considered opportunities related to investment and development priorities in their respective countries. These discussions took place amid ongoing regular diplomatic exchanges between Abu Dhabi and Dakar. Throughout 2026, officials from the UAE and Senegal have convened multiple times to discuss trade, investment, government cooperation, and preparations for a significant global water summit.
The leaders also addressed the upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. Scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, the event aims to fast-track progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6, which advocates for universal water and sanitation access and sustainable water resource management. The conference will gather governments, international organizations, civil society, private sector entities, and other stakeholders involved in water policy.
Water summit plays a key role in discussions
For the December event, the United Nations has organized six interactive dialogues. These sessions will focus on water for people, prosperity, the planet, cooperation, multilateral processes, and investment. Topics such as financing, technology, innovation, and capacity enhancement will also feature in the conference conversations. According to UN data, approximately 2.1 billion individuals still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while around 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation services. These statistics highlight the global challenge addressed through Sustainable Development Goal 6.
This latest presidential engagement follows other economic exchanges between the two nations earlier this month. On September 4, President Faye met with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dakar. Their discussions centered on bolstering trade and investment relations and expanding cooperation in key sectors. The meeting involved a UAE delegation and aimed to identify commercial opportunities between the two economies. Both parties also explored mutual economic interests during the visit to Dakar.
High-level officials maintain ongoing bilateral dialogue
Faye’s visit to the UAE also included a meeting with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mansour holds the positions of UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The two officials discussed cooperation areas, especially investment and development projects. They also examined ways to deepen the bilateral partnership and exchanged views on issues of mutual relevance. This meeting added another senior-level discussion to Faye’s working visit to the country.
In addition to these engagements, the UAE and Senegal are actively collaborating in preparations for the December water conference. Earlier in 2026, Senegal hosted a high-level preparatory meeting in Dakar as part of this process. The Abu Dhabi summit will feature plenary sessions in addition to its six interactive dialogues. The program is designed around the core components of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The presidential talks on September 17 linked this global agenda with ongoing UAE-Senegal cooperation in areas like investment, economic development, and bilateral relations.