Translated with AI
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, in partnership with the United Nations and key international stakeholders, is pleased to announce that the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, "Water for Sustainable Development," 2018–2028, will be held in Dushanbe from 25 to 28 May 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan reports.
As the initiator of the International Decade for Action and co-chair of the 2023 UN Water Conference, Tajikistan continues to make every effort to advance the water agenda internationally. Building on the achievements of previous Dushanbe Water Process conferences (2018, 2022, 2024), the 2026 Conference will be a key preparatory stage leading up to the 2026 UN Water Conference, accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 and other internationally agreed water-related goals.
The Fourth International High-Level Conference on the International Decade for Action in Dushanbe will bring together heads of state and government, ministers, UN entities, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, academic institutions, civil society representatives, youth, indigenous peoples, and the private sector to advance commitments and showcase transformative solutions. Discussions will focus on maintaining and further building on the momentum created by the 2023 UN Water Conference, advancing the implementation of the Water Action Agenda, and initiating discussions ahead of the 2028 UN Water Conference, which will be held in Tajikistan.
Participants will take part in high-level plenary sessions, nine thematic sessions aligned with the themes of the Interactive Dialogues of the 2026 UN Water Conference, pre-conference forums, side events, and an international exhibition.
The programme will also include a regional preparatory meeting organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), providing an important opportunity for Asia-Pacific countries to coordinate regional positions and strengthen their collective contribution to the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The Dushanbe Conference will also provide a unique opportunity to participate in special excursions that will allow participants to explore Tajikistan's rich cultural and historical heritage, reflecting ancient civilizations and the Silk Road legacy, as well as gain first-hand insight into Tajik experience in water resources management, including sustainable water infrastructure and hydropower.
The main results will be reflected in the Final Declaration, the Co-Chairs' Summary and the official Contribution to the 2026 UN Water Conference.
The Fourth Conference of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028" will provide a key global platform for strengthening partnerships, fostering innovation, mobilizing finance and accelerating concrete action to ensure sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient water development worldwide.
"We look forward to welcoming the international community to Dushanbe in May 2026," the Tajik Foreign Ministry said.
