On 11 June 2024, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming took part in the 3rd High-Level International Conference dedicated to the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028 in Dushanbe at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon addressed the participants during the opening ceremony.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda and UN Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua co-chaired the conference and delivered addresses at the plenary session.
Over 2,000 representatives of multiple states, international and regional organisations, including the leaders of Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gabon, the Vatican, Zambia and Zimbabwe, took part in the event.
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In his remarks, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming discussed water management projects in the SCO region, as well as the risks and challenges faced by SCO member states. He highlighted the effective work and positive results achieved by SCO member states in the field of water resources management and conservation, which made an important contribution to implementing the decision of SCO member states to declare 2024 the Year of SCO Ecology. He noted that the SCO attached great importance to environmental and nature conservation management and sustainable development, and informed about a themed event scheduled to take place during the Year of SCO Ecology.
Zhang Ming voiced readiness to further strengthen consensus between member states on water resources conservation and to implement practical measures to expand international cooperation in this sphere at regional and international levels.
The participants exchanged opinions on various issues, including drinking water safety, the role of water resources in economic and social development, the link between water resources and climate change, international cooperation in water resources management and protection, and the implementation of the Programme of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028.
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The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has been organising the biennial conference in collaboration with the UN since 2018. The conference is a significant event during the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028.