Dushanbe, 21.10.2016. /NIAT “Khovar”/. On 19 October 2016 the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov participated and addressed the Plenary Meeting of the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat 3) to be held in Quito, Ecuador from 17 to 20 October 2016.

According to the Tajik MFA Information Department, in his statement, the Permanent Representative noted that HABITAT III provides a timely platform to tackle the challenges towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and gives an opportunity to discuss further plans on    a collective approach to current trends affecting towns, cities and other urban areas.

In this regard, he named the challenges, which Tajikistan faces, in particular natural disasters, climate change, demographic problems of human settlements and electricity shortages in winter period. Ambassador Mahmadaminov stated that Tajikistan is recently adopted National Development Strategy until 2030, which encompasses tackling all of the above issues.

He informed participants about an International Decade for Action, Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028, which is being promoted by Tajikistan in the UN General Assembly this year. Further he expressed hope that this important initiative will assist the international community towards implementation water related SDGs.