SIWI readies for “Water for Sustainable Development” conference in Dushanbe

The conference will be held from 20 to 22 June 2018 in Dushanbe and is organised jointly by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations, in order to facilitate the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, which was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 71/222 on 21 December 2016. The aim of the conference is to raise awareness on the important stakes surrounding water and sanitation issues at large in order to mobilise Members States, UN representations and all stakeholders. The conference also seeks to identify practical recommendations for the implementation of the sustainable development goals and targets related to water resources.

This conference arrives at a strategic moment within the 2030 Agenda process since this year SDG 6 will be reviewed at the High Level Political Forum on the 9^th of June in New York.

‘It’s crucial that the stakes surrounding the implementation of SDG6 and all other water related targets be addressed as early as possible since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Water is a key underlying factor for the successful implementation of the entire 2030 Agenda and presently, as highlighted by UN Water and the Synthesis Report on SDG6+ , we are not on track! ‘ explains Maggie White, Senior Manager for International Policy at SIWI.

The conference will be attended by high level representatives of UN member states, governments, UN institutions, international and regional organizations, international financial institutions, the private sector non-governmental and civil society organisations, academic institutions and representatives from women, youth and children movements.

As a member of the International Steering Committee, co-chaired by the government of Tajikistan and the World Bank, SIWI has been instrumental in supporting the content development of the conference, pre-forums and is involved in different action panels. SIWI is also a member of the drafting committee for the final declaration and outcome documents.

Detailed information about the Conference is available in the First Announcement (English and Russian) and website of the Conference www.wsdconf2018.org

We are looking forward to hearing strong recommendations and engagements for action that will presented at the HLPF in July in New York and discussed further at World Water Week in Stockholm.

Open Dialogue process for the Synthesis Report on SDG6+:

Taking advantage of the momentum generated around the Dushanbe conference, SIWI along with UN-Water and WWAP will host an Open Dialogue session. Open Dialogues are being held as a means to ensure an integrated approach to achieving SDG 6 and help member states and representatives better identify the challenges and opportunities of water and sanitation targets ahead of the in-depth review of SDG 6 at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (July 2018)