DUSHANBE, 24.03.2022 (NIAT Khovar) — On March 21 in Senegal, Tajik delegation consisting of the Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sharaf Sheralizoda met with the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Arab Republic of Egypt Muhammad Abdelati.

The meeting focused on the results of the official visit of the President Emomali Rahmon to Egypt on March 9-12, 2022, issues on the bilateral agenda, as well as aspects of cooperation within the framework of the Second High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable development, 2018-2028» (Dushanbe, June 6-9, 2022), the 27th session of the UN Conference of the Parties Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27, November 7-18, 2022, Sharm el-Sheikh, Ush Sheikh) and the United Nations Conference on the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Water Decade (New York, 22-24 March 2023).

The same day Juma and Sheralizoda met with Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Iraq Mahdi Rashid al-Hamdani.

The parties discussed issues of mutual interest, including the implementation of cooperation between the sectoral bodies of the two countries within the framework of international initiatives of Tajikistan and the Second International High-Level Conference dedicated to the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028», which will be held on 6-9 June, 2022 in Dushanbe.

Al-Hamdoni expressed his country’s readiness to establish mutually beneficial cooperation in the process of preparing for the UN Conference on the Midterm Review of the Water Decade (New York, March 22-24, 2023).

On March 21, Tajik delegation also met with the Minister of the Environment of the French Republic Barbara Pompili.

The meeting focused on the results of the official visit of the President of Tajikistan to France on November 14, 2021, the implementation of the agreements reached between the leaders of the two countries, as well as the expansion of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The parties considered the possibilities of establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the framework of international initiatives of Tajikistan and France and the Second High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028» and in this context noted the importance of the UN Conference on the mid-term review of the implementation of the water decade, which will be held on March 22-24, 2023 in New York under the chairmanship of Tajikistan and the Netherlands.

On that day, Juma and Sheralizoda met with the Minister of Water Resources of India Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

They discussed issues of expanding bilateral relations between Tajikistan and India in various fields.

The parties also exchanged views on cooperation between the two countries within the framework of international and regional organizations.

They noted the importance of the goals and role of the Second High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028» (Dushanbe, June 6-9, 2022) for organization of the UN Conference on the Midterm Review of the Water Decade.

On March 21, the delegation met with the Secretary of State — Head of Global Cooperation of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Christian Frutiger.

The meeting focused on issues of cooperation between Tajikistan and the Swiss Confederation and its prospects.

The parties discussed the efforts of Tajikistan over the past two decades to promote water issues in the World Development Agenda.

They also noted the importance of the Second International Conference in Dushanbe called «Promoting action and partnerships in the water sector at the local, national, regional and global levels», which is scheduled for June 6-9, 2022 in Dushanbe as a global event in preparation for the UN Conference on the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Water Decade in 2023 (New York City).

On March 22, Juma and Sheralizoda met with the Minister of Public Works and Housing of Indonesia Basuki Khadimuljono.

The parties exchanged views on the current state and prospects of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Indonesia, as well as cooperation within the framework of regional and international organizations.

The Minister of Indonesia was invited to participate in the Second International Conference «Promoting action and partnerships in the field of water resources at local, national, regional and global levels» on June 6-9, 2022 in Dushanbe and in the United Nations Conference on the mid-term review of the implementation of the Water Decade in 2023 (New York).

On March 22, they met with the President of the World Water Council Louique Fauchon.

The meeting was also attended by the Vice-President of the World Water Council, Ms. Asma El Kasmi.

They emphasized the importance of the international initiatives of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on water and climate change in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The parties noted Dushanbe water process launched in the framework of the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development», 2018-2028 as an active continuation of the activities of Tajikistan in the search for effective solutions to global problems.

In this regard, the contribution of the representative of the World Water Council as a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Dushanbe Water Process in promoting the implementation of the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028» was noted.

The parties exchanged views on the possibilities of holding joint events within the framework of the Second International High-Level Conference on the International Water Decade «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028» (Dushanbe, June 6-9, 2022).

Fauchon confirmed his participation in the Second Dushanbe Water Conference and expressed the readiness of the World Water Council to cooperate with Tajikistan on relevant issues within the framework of the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028».

The parties also discussed the possibility of organizing subsequent joint meetings within the framework of international and regional events and other issues of mutual interest.

On March 22, Juma and Sheralizoda met with the Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamroev.

The ministers exchanged views on important aspects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the consistent implementation of the agreements reached between the two Presidents, as well as noted the need for its development within the framework of existing mechanisms, meetings of joint working groups on water issues and international events of Tajikistan to be held in Dushanbe and New York.

In this regard, it was noted that the development of cooperation in the areas within the competence of the two structures can become an important factor in ensuring the further development of the two countries.