Catalyzing water action

The High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 that convened on 20 – 22 June, 2018 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan joined over 1.500 participants from 120 countries. It was a true multi-stakeholder gathering with participants ranging from Heads of State to local government and from international NGOs to local grassroots representing different major groups. The conference produced three outcome documents: the Co-chairs’ Summary, a Final Declaration, which was adopted by acclamation by the representatives of the participating states and organizations, and a Call for Action and Partnership based on the proceedings of the conference.

This was the first of a series of bi-annual gatherings during the Water Action Decade. I consider this ‘Dushanbe process’ important because it stimulates concrete actions through multi-stakeholder cooperation and regular stocktaking of progress and impact. Different stakeholder groups (Academia, Youth and Women) had the opportunity to work amounts themselves and bring the results of their deliberations into the main conference through a presentation in the opening plenary as well as participation in different action panels. The most important aspect of the Dushanbe process is what happens in between the bi-annual conference transforming the action programme into reality on the ground.