In order to raise awareness of the global water policy of Tajikistan and the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference, which was held from 22 to 24 March 2023 in New York under the co-chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on 19 April 2023 in the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University a meeting held with the faculty and students of the University.
The Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Water and Climate Coalition Leaders, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFAS, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda, took part in this meeting as a special guest with a presentation on: “The Triumph of Tajik diplomacy”.
In his speech, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda presented comprehensive information about the global water initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, the Leader of the Nation – the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, and the important political role of Tajikistan at the global level in addressing water issues. It was noted that Tajikistan has been actively and consistently promoting the water issue on the global agenda over the past 20 years and is a key partner in decision-making on very important water issues at the UN. Tajikistan is also the initiator of the UN Group of Friends of Water (2009) and the Group of Friends of Glaciers (2023).
Mr. Rahimzoda also noted that the chairmanship of Tajikistan in the historic UN 2023 Water Conference strengthened the high authority and political image of the country in the international arena.
The Conference was aimed at conducting a mid-term review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, and intensifying actions to achieve the water-related Sustainable Development Goals and other internationally agreed water goals. The conference was held at the right time, as water resources are under great pressure from various problems and the measures and actions taken by the international community are not enough. Bold commitments and large-scale, concrete action are required for water resources at the local and global levels.
One of the outcomes of the Conference was the Water Agenda for Action, which brought together more than 700 registered voluntary commitments in the field of water resources from UN member states, international financial institutions, and various stakeholders. Voluntary commitments provide funding in excess of US$330 billion with the potential to increase to US$1 trillion for the needs of humanity and nature.
Mr. Rahimzoda emphasized that this Conference was a triumph of Tajik diplomacy, being historical not only in terms of time but also in terms of results, marking a watershed moment in intensifying actions to achieve water-related goals.
