Al Ain University Showcases Water Security Innovations at UNGA 81 in New York
Representing Al Ain University (AAU) on the global stage, Prof. Mousa Bani Baker, Director of the Center for Energy, Water, and Sustainability (CEWS) at the College of Engineering, showcased high-impact research and academic leadership during official side events of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) and Climate Week NYC 2026 in New York, USA.
At the UAE Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Prof. Bani Baker delivered a keynote addressing local, regional and global water security titled “Beyond Desalination: Achieving 100% Water Circularity through AI-Driven Decentralized Treatment in the UAE Sustainable Futures.” Presented during the prestigious “Academic Water Carnival,” the session took place under the patronage of Sheikha Dr. Moza bint Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability.
The event gathered distinguished UAE leadership—including H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany (Permanent Representative of the UAE to IRENA), H.E. Noura Al Suwaidi (Secretary-General of the General Women's Union), and H.E. Al Reem Al Falasi (Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood)—alongside global academic and policy leaders to highlight pioneering strategies for safeguarding global water resources.
Extending Al Ain University’s institutional impact, Prof. Bani Baker represented the university at “The Water Cities Dialogue” during Climate Week NYC, taking part in the flagship Urban Water Security opening session alongside delegates from Columbia University, Khalifa University, and the University of Salerno. Engaging with international scholars, municipal leaders, and industry executives, he addressed critical urban water scarcity and demand challenges in the Middle East, emphasizing AI-driven infrastructure and adaptive intelligent decentralized regional circularity solutions.
This high-level diplomatic and academic engagement marks the opening chapter of an international traveling initiative linking New York to Abu Dhabi, Naples, and Venice—driving public-private partnerships and scientific collaboration ahead of the upcoming landmark 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
