SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi later this year, Tajikistan is convening the world’s leaders, policymakers, researchers, experts, and civil society representatives for a major event that will examine global progress on water security commitments and explore ways to accelerate action.
The 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Sustainable Development’ 2018–2028 will take place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from May 25 to 28. Officials say the gathering is expected to build momentum towards the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE is co-hosting with Senegal, while underscoring growing cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Dushanbe on global water challenges.
Speaking to Aletihad, Ashrafjon Gulov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the UAE, said the two countries have consistently supported each other’s initiatives related to water issues.
“Both countries share a common interest in strengthening international multilateral cooperation in this sector," Gulov said.
He said the upcoming Fourth Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference would serve as a key preparatory platform for the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Delegates at the Dushanbe event will focus on scaling up cooperation, sharing expertise and advancing the goals of the Water Action Decade (2018–2028).
Tajikistan, the UAE, and the United Nations are coordinating efforts to align priorities and identify practical solutions to global water security challenges.
Over the past two decades, Tajikistan has advanced water diplomacy and promoted tangible solutions to elevate the issue on the global agenda, Gulov said.
In this space, the UAE has been a reliable partner that shares the country’s commitment to sustainable solutions.
Bérangère Boëll, UN Resident Coordinator for the UAE, described the partnership between Tajikistan and the UAE as a model of international cooperation. She said the UAE’s approach combines innovation, financing, investment and implementation efforts to help accelerate global action.
Boëll also praised the UAE’s role in advancing water action globally and highlighted the extensive consultations held ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.
“We are talking about hundreds of consultations with a broad range of partners, young people, private sector, civil society organisations, member states,” she said.
Boëll stressed the importance of translating momentum into concrete outcomes and securing meaningful commitments through the conference in Abu Dhabi.
“What we really need to make sure is that there is acceleration, achievement at scale, major investment,” she said, adding that the goal is to usher in a new era of action for water in 2027.
Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Gulov said support for Tajikistan’s initiatives reflects growing recognition that water challenges require a global response.
“This demonstrates that water challenges are not a national concern but a truly global responsibility,” he added.