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KATHMANDU, Oct 1: The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) hosted a dialogue in Kathmandu on Wednesday on water security in the changing Himalaya, according to a press release issued by the UAE Embassy.
The event, held at the Yak & Yeti Hotel, focused on “Water Security in a Changing Himalaya: Unlocking Disaster Resilience and Transformation for Economic Growth, Food Security, and Inclusion.”
Dr. Jagdishwor Karmacharya, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, was the chief guest. IWMI Director General Dr. Mark Smith, Senior Development Counsellor at the British Embassy Alex Lau, and Dr. Devendra Gauchan of the National Planning Commission also participated in the event.
'We can use the UAE as a special support for the economy of Nep...
According to the press release, UAE Ambassador to Nepal Abdulla Saeed Mubarak Jarwan Al Shamsi warned that parts of the Himalayan region are approaching, or have already reached, a stage of “water bankruptcy.” He called for “genuine reinvention” rather than incremental adjustments to address growing water-related challenges.
The ambassador said glacial retreat, erratic monsoons and glacial lake outburst floods “are no longer distant projections” but “Nepal’s present reality.”
He linked water security with economic growth, food security and inclusion, saying Nepal’s hydropower potential requires infrastructure designed for a changing climate. He also highlighted climate-adaptive irrigation, flood and drought early-warning systems, diversified water storage and the challenges faced by mountain communities, smallholder farmers and women who travel long distances to collect water.
The ambassador said the UAE views water diplomacy as a strategic necessity and is ready to share its experience in desalination and integrated water management with Nepal, according to the press release.
The UAE and Senegal will host the UN Water Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10. The conference will be the third UN Water Conference, following those held in Mar del Plata in 1977 and New York in 2023.
The ambassador expressed hope that Nepal would use the platform to advance mountain water security, glacial lake risk management and climate-smart agriculture.
“The United Arab Emirates stands ready to walk this path with Nepal, not as a distant supporter, but as a partner,” he said.
