Abu dhabi: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has announced a strategic partnership with Water.org and WaterEquity, marking a significant step towards enhancing access to safe water and sanitation in emerging markets.
According to Emirates News Agency, as part of this partnership, FAB has invested in the WaterEquity Everspring Fund, an open-ended impact vehicle dedicated to addressing the critical global issue of water and sanitation. This collaboration establishes a platform for ongoing cooperation between FAB, Water.org, and WaterEquity to advance water access through market-based financial solutions. FAB is the first commercial financial institution in the MENA region to partner with both organizations through a direct investment vehicle. This move demonstrates FAB's leadership in deploying capital for impactful initiatives, with any gains from the investment committed to furthering Water.org's mission.
The partnership underscores FAB's commitment to water as a strategic priority, recognizing its importance in climate adaptation, public health, and economic stability. By channeling private investment into one of the world's most underfunded global challenges, FAB emphasizes the role of financial institutions in delivering scalable, impactful solutions. Through the WaterEquity Everspring Fund, capital is deployed via local financial institutions to provide affordable financing for low-income households and businesses, thereby facilitating access to water and sanitation solutions on a large scale.
This initiative aligns with the UAE's national agenda to enhance global water security, including the goals of the Mohammed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and strengthens the UAE's leadership as host of the UN Water Conference in December 2026. FAB's engagement highlights how national priorities can translate into tangible private-sector action, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a global hub for sustainability and climate leadership.
Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank, stated, 'Water is fundamental to economic resilience, sustainable growth, and long-term stability. Through this partnership with Water.org and WaterEquity, we are combining capital and expertise to support scalable, market-based solutions that advance water security and drive meaningful impact. This investment reflects our commitment to innovative financing models that address global challenges while creating lasting value for communities and economies.'
Gary White and Matt Damon, Co-founders of Water.org, commented, 'The private sector has both the tools and the opportunity to help close the water and sanitation financing gap. We've already seen what's possible - more than 88 million people now have access to safe water or sanitation because they got access to a small loan to access water at home. FAB's investment in the WaterEquity Everspring Fund is the kind of committed, market-driven leadership that accelerates that impact and demonstrates to the broader financial community that investing in water and sanitation can drive both meaningful social progress and lasting real-world change.'