7th Annual MENA Desalination Projects Forum

The 7th Annual MENA Desalination Projects Forum, held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, stands as the region’s leading strategic platform dedicated to advancing sustainable desalination and water security across the Middle East and North Africa.

As one of the most water-stressed regions globally with less than 1% of the world’s renewable freshwater resources sustaining over 6% of the global population — MENA faces a structural water imbalance that continues to intensify. By 2030, demand is expected to exceed available resources by more than 50%, making desalination not just an option, but the cornerstone of regional resilience, economic development, and long-term sustainability.

Held on 03-04 June 2026 at the prestigious Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, the Forum convenes senior government officials, water authorities, utilities, project owners, EPC contractors, technology providers, and investors to address the evolving challenges of the desalination sector — from high energy consumption and capital intensity to decarbonization and operational optimization.

Moving Toward Net-Negative Desalination
The 7th edition marks a strategic evolution in the industry dialogue — shifting from expanding capacity to redefining sustainability benchmarks. With governments across the GCC pushing toward net-zero and beyond, the focus is transitioning to Net-Negative Desalination, where facilities integrate renewables, carbon-capture systems, and brine valorization technologies to produce climate-positive water.

The 2026 agenda is built around four core transformation pillars:
Decarbonization & Climate Alignment
Exploring pathways toward carbon-neutral and carbon-negative desalination through renewable integration, advanced energy recovery, and low-emission materials.
AI, Digital Twins & Smart Operations
Showcasing how predictive analytics, AI-driven optimization, and digital twin technologies are enhancing plant reliability, reducing lifecycle costs, and improving asset performance.
Renewable-Powered Hybrid Systems
From solar-RO to wind-thermal integration, hybrid desalination models are reshaping plant economics while aligning with national renewable energy targets.
Nuclear & Next-Generation Solutions
Examining the potential of nuclear-powered desalination, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as a stable, zero-emission solution supporting large-scale water production.
Investment & Project Pipeline Outlook
According to industry projections, more than USD 50 billion worth of desalination and water infrastructure projects are planned or under development across MENA by 2030. The Forum provides unmatched access to these project pipelines, PPP frameworks, financing models, and public-private collaboration opportunities driving the next decade of growth.
Beyond Production: Circular & Strategic Water
The scope of desalinated water is expanding beyond municipal supply supporting hydrogen production, industrial cooling, and climate-resilient agriculture. As the region diversifies its economies and strengthens food security strategies, desalination continues to play a central role in enabling sustainable industrial transformation.