ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye convened in Abu Dhabi on September 17 for high-level talks. Faye was visiting the United Arab Emirates on a working visit. During their discussion, they evaluated bilateral ties and explored avenues for enhanced collaboration between the UAE and Senegal. The agenda included topics such as investment, economic relations, and development initiatives. They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual relevance.
In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Faye and highlighted areas where both nations already cooperate actively. Economic partnership played a central role during the meeting, with the presidents considering new opportunities linked to investment and development strategies in each country. This dialogue took place amid ongoing official exchanges between Dakar and Abu Dhabi. Throughout 2026, officials from both nations have held multiple meetings centered on trade, investment, government cooperation, and preparations for a significant global water summit.
The two leaders also discussed the upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE and Senegal are jointly hosting. Scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, the conference aims to advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. This goal emphasizes universal access to water and sanitation, along with sustainable water resource management. The event will gather governments, international organizations, civil society groups, businesses, and other stakeholders involved in water policy.
Water summit plays key role in discussions
For the December conference, the United Nations has organized six interactive dialogues. These sessions will explore topics such as water for people, prosperity, the planet, cooperation, multilateral processes, and investment. Additional focus areas include financing, technology, innovation, and capacity development. According to United Nations statistics, roughly 2.1 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while approximately 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation services. These figures highlight the ongoing global challenge addressed through Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Earlier this month, the presidential discussions were complemented by other economic talks between the two nations. On September 4, President Faye met with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dakar. The talks centered on ways to strengthen trade and investment ties and boost cooperation across key sectors. The meeting involved a UAE delegation and emphasized commercial opportunities between the two economies. Both sides also explored areas of mutual economic interest during the Dakar visit.
Senior officials maintain ongoing bilateral dialogue
During his visit to the UAE, Faye also held discussions with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mansour, who serves as UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, engaged in talks focused on cooperation in priority sectors, especially investment and development. They examined ways to expand their bilateral partnership and exchanged views on shared interests. This meeting added another high-level discussion to Faye’s working trip to the country.
Both nations are actively collaborating on preparations for the December water conference. Earlier in 2026, Senegal hosted a high-level preparatory session in Dakar as part of that process. The Abu Dhabi event will feature plenary sessions along with its six interactive dialogues. The organizers structured the program around core elements of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The presidential talks on September 17 linked the international agenda to ongoing UAE-Senegal cooperation in areas such as investment, economic development, and bilateral relations.