Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 25 May 2026 — Representatives of the Scientific-Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of Central Asia (SIC ICSD) participated in the Pre-Conference Forum entitled “Transboundary Cooperation. Innovation and Action on Water Resources for Sustainable Development”, held in Dushanbe in preparation for the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028.
The Forum was organized with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the World Bank, and a number of international partners. It brought together representatives of government institutions from Central Asian countries, regional organizations, international financial institutions, research and academic institutions, and organizations of the United Nations system.
Discussions focused on transboundary cooperation in water resources management, climate change adaptation, addressing the impacts of drought and water scarcity, and the development of modern digital solutions for water monitoring and management. Particular attention was given to strengthening trust among countries of the region, improving river basin governance, and expanding data-sharing mechanisms to support joint decision-making in the face of increasing climate-related risks.
During the thematic sessions, participants reviewed national and regional approaches to the management of transboundary river basins, innovative technologies for the digitalization of the water sector, advanced methods for water resources modelling and forecasting, and institutional mechanisms for cooperation among Central Asian States. Discussions also addressed the role of basin organizations in promoting sustainable water use, opportunities for integrating climate risks into water management processes, and prospects for expanding cooperation with international partners. Of particular interest were exchanges on the digitalization of natural resource monitoring and the application of modern information systems to enhance the management of transboundary ecosystems.
At the conclusion of the Forum, participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation on water resources, advancing joint monitoring and forecasting mechanisms, and expanding the use of innovative solutions to increase the resilience of Central Asian countries to the impacts of climate change. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for coordinated efforts to enhance water security and support the sustainable development of transboundary river basins across the region.
While water resources management does not constitute the primary focus of SIC ICSD’s mandate, the Centre continues to contribute to the implementation of the Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development in Central Asia (REP4SD CA) 2020-2030, particularly under Priority Area No. 2, which supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” In this regard, SIC ICSD’s participation in regional forums of this nature contributes to strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, enhancing environmental monitoring systems, and promoting integrated approaches to the sustainable management of natural resources across Central Asia.
This event supports the achievement of:
| Priority Area dedicated to SDG 6 on "Ensure Availability and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All" |
| 2.2 Ensuring efficiency of water quality monitoring in the Aral Sea Basin. |