In statement delivered at the closing ceremony of the UN 2023 Water Conference, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted on March 24 that it is necessary to radically change the way they understand, value and manage water.

According to him, there is a need for a new water vision that would reflect the prospects for the development of water resources for the period after 2030, which in its turn will help to reinforce the role of freshwater resources in the next global agenda.

Rahmon pointed to the necessity of strengthening the nexus approach for water with food, health, cities and rural areas, as well as energy and climate, and make water the driver for sustainable development.

“This precious and limited resource, fresh water, is the lever for scaling up climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience,” said Tajik leader.  “When treated right it helps curb biodiversity decline through water sustainability at scale.  In public-private partnerships water drives innovation to help us reinvent the future, without replicating the past.”

According to him, the countries need the best data and capacity for early warning for all, paired with scaled up capacity, to revolutionize how countries are equipped to address increasing flood, drought, and water related risks holistically and inclusive.

“Tajikistan and the Netherlands worked together with all of you.  We became true partners in water, sharing the same values and representing the full water cycle; from source to sea,” said Rahmon.  “We know that this conference in the mid-term of the Water Action Decade is only the beginning!”

According to him, the Water Action Agenda will have to get a concrete follow-up in the three key upcoming UN Summits: the SDG Summit 2023; the Summit of the Future 2024; and the World Social Summit 2025.