In the 21st century, issues related to water resources, climate change and sustainable development have become one of the most important directions of international politics. Water has become not only a source of life and sustainable economic development, but also an important factor in ensuring national security, regional stability and international cooperation. In such conditions, countries with large water resources can play an important role through rational policies and shaping the international agenda.
The Republic of Tajikistan, as a country with abundant fresh water resources and the main source of water in the Central Asian region, has made water diplomacy one of the important directions of its foreign policy during the years of independence. It is as a result of this active policy that Tajikistan has been able to promote many international initiatives within the framework of the United Nations.
The foundations for the development and formation of Tajikistan’s water diplomacy are humanitarian initiatives recognized by the UN and the international community. Since 2000, the Republic of Tajikistan has identified the issue of water as a strategic direction of its foreign policy, which has become a unique experience of water and climate diplomacy to this day.
The main goals of Tajikistan’s water diplomacy were to attract the attention of the international community to water issues, strengthen international cooperation, promote sustainable development, prevent problems related to water scarcity and rational use of water resources.
On the basis of these constructive goals, a number of important international initiatives were proposed during the years of independence, which were adopted and entered into force by a special UN resolution and have yielded the desired results to date, including the International Year of Freshwater (2003), the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” (2005-2015), the International Year of Water Cooperation (2013), the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018-2028), and the International Year of Glacier Conservation (2025).
The adoption and ratification of these initiatives by the UN shows that Tajikistan has been able to establish itself as one of the leaders of water diplomacy in the world. Various events, round tables, conferences and large-scale meetings were held on the ground of these initiatives, which created many platforms for dialogue and action. In this context, the «Dushanbe Water Process» emerged as an important international platform and is today one of the most important tools of global water diplomacy.
The “Dushanbe Water Process” is an initiative of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, launched in cooperation with the UN to implement the goals of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”. This process is implemented through a series of international conferences held every two years in Dushanbe and brings together representatives of states, international organizations, scientific institutions and civil society. Starting in 2018, three high-level conferences were held in Dushanbe as part of the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, which later became known as the «Dushanbe Water Process».
The main objectives of this process are to promote the implementation of international goals in the field of water, strengthen international cooperation, develop water diplomacy, attract investment in the water sector, coordinate global initiatives to combat climate change, protect glaciers, develop a green economy, ensure water security, adapt to climate change, etc. Given the growing importance of water and climate issues, it is expected that the “Dushanbe Water Process” will become one of the most important global mechanisms for coordinating water policy in the coming years.
Because the “Dushanbe Water Process” includes priority areas that require collective solutions. In particular, glacier protection, climate change adaptation, water security, transboundary resource management, development of green technologies, reduction of water losses using modern technologies, and financing of environmental initiatives, etc. For this, the “Dushanbe Water Process” creates favorable conditions for the exchange of experience, knowledge and technologies.
From 25 to 28 May 2026, the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action «Water for Sustainable Development» was held in Dushanbe, which was attended by heads of state, representatives of UN Member States, international organizations, financial institutions, scientific centers, the private sector and civil society.
According to the data, more than 2,500 people, including 1,100 from 110 countries, 75 international and regional organizations, as well as 170 non-governmental organizations and academic institutions, participated in the conference, which once again confirmed the high international interest in the “Dushanbe Water Process” and its recognition as an important platform for promoting the global water agenda.
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Holding such an event is a logical continuation of Tajikistan’s initiatives. The conference was dedicated to the following issues: ensuring water security, protecting glaciers, green economic growth, attracting financing for water infrastructure, achieving the sixth UN Sustainable Development Goal, sustainable water resources management, ensuring safe access to water and sanitation, the impact of climate change and melting glaciers on water security, energy, agriculture and flood and landslide risks, including in the Central Asian region, strengthening cooperation and water diplomacy: using the “Dushanbe Water Process” to coordinate the positions of countries ahead of the United Nations Water Conference-2026 and forming partnerships, new commitments and joint projects within the framework of the Water Action Agenda, etc.
This conference was considered a preparatory stage for the UN Water Conference in 2026. The UN Water Conference will be held in the United Arab Emirates from December 2 to 4, 2026.
The fourth high-level international conference in Dushanbe has become an important stage in the development of Tajikistan’s water diplomacy. This conference showed that Tajikistan has transformed from a passive participant in international relations into an active initiator in addressing global issues. In this context, the “Dushanbe Water Process» not only contributes to strengthening Tajikistan’s position, but also serves as an important tool for combating the climate crisis, protecting water resources, and developing international cooperation.
The “Dushanbe Water Process” is considered one of the most important achievements of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan. This initiative not only contributes to solving water and climate issues, but also serves as an effective tool for global water diplomacy. Thanks to this process, Tajikistan has been able to strengthen its influence and authority on the world stage, promote important international initiatives, and take an active role in discussing global issues.
SHARIFZODA ISKANDAR
Researcher of the CIS Department of theInstitute for the Study of Asian and European Issues
