DUSHANBE, 07.02.2025 (NIAT Khovar) – On 5 February 2025, under the co-chair of the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan and the Permanent Mission of Singapore, the first meeting of the Group of Friends of Water was convened with the participation of Retno Marsudi, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water.

In his opening remarks, Jonibek Hikmat, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations, congratulated Marsudi on her appointment as the Special Envoy and reiterated Tajikistan’s strong commitment to advancing the global water agenda. He underlined the importance of active engagement in the preparatory process for the 2026 UN Water Conference and highlighted Tajikistan’s role as a former co-host of the 2023 UN Water Conference.

In this context, Ambassador Hikmat emphasized the need for the effective implementation of the outcomes of the 2023 Conference, particularly through the Dushanbe Water Process, which serves as a vital platform for promoting international water cooperation. He also underscored the deep interlinkages between the 2026 and 2028 UN Water Conferences in fostering a comprehensive and coordinated approach to global water management.

Following this, Retno Marsudi provided an update on the global water agenda, while the Vice-Chair of UN-Water elaborated on the implementation of the outcomes of the 2023 UN Water Conference, with a specific focus on the UN Comprehensive Water and Sanitation Strategy.

Additionally, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations shared insights on the preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.At the conclusion of the meeting, participants exchanged views on the follow-up to the Water Action Agenda, the details of the 2026 UN Water Conference, and the importance of strengthening cooperation with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water.

They also expressed support for organizing relevant events within the framework of the Group of Friends of Water to further advance global water-related initiatives.