Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda Toir, on Wednesday announced that the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018–2028” will be held from May 25 to 28, 2026, in Dushanbe under the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process.
Addressing a media briefing, the ambassador said the Dushanbe Water Process is an initiative of the Government of Tajikistan aimed at supporting the implementation of the goals of the International Decade for Action through biennial conferences organized in close collaboration with the United Nations.
He noted that the conference series is co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Qohir Rasulzoda and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, adding that three such conferences have already been successfully held in Dushanbe in 2018, 2022, and 2024.
The envoy said the upcoming conference would continue Tajikistan’s longstanding efforts to provide an inclusive platform for policy dialogue, exchange of views, partnership-building, and promotion of global water-related actions.
Highlighting the objectives, he said the conference aims to mobilize collective efforts to support the implementation of voluntary commitments under the Water Action Agenda of the UN Water Conference, while also fostering new partnerships and accelerating progress towards achieving the water-related goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He added that the event would facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions, strengthen cooperation among stakeholders, and enhance awareness and political commitment to sustainable water management.
The ambassador further said the conference would serve as a key preparatory meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, and would also contribute to discussions leading up to the 2028 UN Water Conference, which will review the outcomes of the Water Action Decade.
According to the schedule, forums and side events will take place on May 25, followed by the official high-level sessions on May 26 and 27 at the Kohi Somon Complex in Dushanbe.
Field visits and study tours for participants will be organized on May 28 to showcase Tajikistan’s experience in water resource management.
The conference will be multi-stakeholder in nature, bringing together high-level representatives from UN member states, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, private sector entities, civil society, academia, and local communities.
The ambassador emphasized that the conference would be held as an in-person event to ensure meaningful engagement and interaction among participants.
