The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, in partnership with the United Nations and key international stakeholders, is pleased to announce that the 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018–2028 will be held from 25 to 28 May 2026 in Dushanbe, reports Khovar citing Tajik Foreign Ministry.

As the initiator of the Water Action Decade and co-host of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, Tajikistan continues making every effort to advance the water agenda in the international arena. Building on the achievements of the previous Dushanbe Water Process conferences (2018, 2022, 2024), the 2026 Conference will serve as a key preparatory milestone on the road to the 2026 UN Water Conference, while accelerating progress toward SDG 6 and other internationally agreed water-related goals.

The 4th Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference will gather Heads of State and Government, ministers, UN entities, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, scientific institutions, civil society, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector to advance commitments and highlight transformative solutions. Discussions will focus on sustaining momentum from the UN 2023 Water Conference, supporting the Water Action Agenda, and initiating discussions toward the UN 2028 Water Conference, which will be hosted by Tajikistan.

Participants will engage in high-level plenaries, nine thematic sessions, aligned with the themes of the Interactive Dialogues of the 2026 UN Water Conference, pre-conference forums, side events, and an international exhibition.

The programme will also include a regional preparatory meeting convened by the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (UN ESCAP), providing an important opportunity for countries of Asia and the Pacific to coordinate regional perspectives and strengthen their collective contribution to the 2026 UN Water Conference.

The Conference will also offer special field trips, providing participants with a unique opportunity to visit Tajikistan’s rich cultural and historical sites, reflecting the country’s ancient civilisations and Silk Road heritage, and to gain first-hand insights into Tajikistan’s experience in water management, including sustainable water infrastructure and hydropower.

Key outcomes will be captured in a Final Declaration, Co-Chairs’ Summary, and a formal Contribution to the 2026 UN Water Conference.

The 4th Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference will provide a vital global platform to strengthen partnerships, foster innovation, mobilize financing, and accelerate concrete action toward sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient water development worldwide.

Further information on registration, programme details, and logistical arrangements will be available at: https://conf2026.dushanbewaterprocess.org/  

We look forward to welcoming the global community to Dushanbe in May 2026.