Events

High-level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028

From: 20.06.2018 to: 22.06.2018

Lack of access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and sound hygiene, along with water scarcity and water pollution constitute some of today’s biggest challenges for the international community, in particular for developing countries. Increasingly frequent water-related disasters, climate change, urbanization, population growth, desertification and drought combined with a lack of capacity to ensure integrated water resource management exacerbate the situation.

To address these challenges, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 71/222 on 21 December 2016, declaring 2018-2028 the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”. The objectives of the decade include: (a) promoting greater attention to the sustainable development and integrated management of water resources for the achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives; (b) the implementation and promotion of related programmes and projects; and (c) the advancement of cooperation and partnerships at all levels in order to help to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also highlights the importance of efficient water usage at all levels, taking into account the water, food, energy and environment nexus, including the implementation of national development programmes.

To mobilize efforts by governments, UN institutions, international, non-governmental organizations and all other stakeholders to achieve the goals and objectives of the International Water Decade, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN-Water and other partners, is organizing a High-level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 20–22 June 2018.

Objectives
The main objective of the conference is to discuss ways how UN Member States, relevant UN bodies, specialized agencies, regional commissions and other organizations of the UN system, as well as other relevant partners can contribute to the decade in order to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. It will also provide a platform to discuss the importance of monitoring, financing, capacity development, access to technology, and partnerships with the private sector and civil society.

Expected outcomes
The conference will deepen the understanding of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028”, promote integrated water resources management and galvanize action in support of the implementation of the water-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants
Representatives of UN member countries’ governments, UN institutions, international and regional organizations, international financial institutions, business communities, non-governmental organizations, civil society, scientists and experts are invited to participate in the conference. Invitations to UN member countries, international and regional organizations and other partners will be sent on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the National Organizing Committee established and chaired by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan.

The deadline to regist is 20 May 2018.

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