International officials and experts gathered in Dushanbe on Tuesday for a special panel discussion reviewing progress under the U.N. Water Action Decade, highlighting advances in cooperation while calling for stronger monitoring and implementation ahead of a 2028 global review.

The session, held alongside the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018–2028,” was jointly organized by the Government of Tajikistan and UN-Water and moderated by the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).

Participants examined preliminary results from the decade-long initiative, assessed progress since the 2023 midterm review and discussed preparations for the final comprehensive evaluation scheduled for 2028 under the United Nations framework.

Officials noted that the U.N. General Assembly has already agreed to hold the final review conference in 2028 and welcomed Tajikistan’s offer to host the event in Dushanbe.

Panelists said global attention to water security, sanitation and sustainable management has increased in recent years, but stressed the need to shift from commitments to measurable outcomes.

Speakers included Sirojiddin Muhriddin, who co-chaired the session, alongside representatives from UN-Water, the Global Water Partnership and international water governance organizations.

Experts emphasized stronger international coordination, improved monitoring mechanisms and closer alignment with U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, while warning that political momentum must be sustained beyond the current decade-long initiative.