On 30 November 2023, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) started in Dubai, UAE. As part of COP28, which will last until December 12, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, together with the United Arab Emirates, will organize various water-related events, including plenary sessions, a summit, high-level sessions, pavilions, and meetings.
On 1 December 2023 the opening ceremony of the Water for Climate pavilion took place. The Water for Climate Pavilion was organized to raise global awareness of the importance of integrating water issues into the global climate agenda and strengthening water issues in the official COP28 outcome documents.
The Pavilion brings together the voices of the international water community to further promote water security, sustainable water management and water risk reduction as climate solutions. The pavilion provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships between negotiators and parties that can become water advocates in formal negotiations, as well as help further advance the climate commitments enshrined in the Water Action Agenda.
Mr. Daler Juma Shofakir, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, on behalf of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation-President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon took part and spoke at the opening ceremony of the Water for Climate pavilion. The opening ceremony of the pavilion was also attended by the President of Slovenia H.E. Nataša Pirc Musar, Prince Jaime Bernardo of Bourbon-Parma on behalf of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands H.E. Mark Rutte, Mr. Hani Sewilam – Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt and other dignitaries.
As part of COP28, a variety of events, meetings and discussions will be organized in the Water Pavilion to prioritize water and highlight its role in achieving climate resilience.
