The Times Kuwait Report
The Ambassador of Tajikistan to Kuwait and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Zubaydullo Zubaydov, has emphasized his country’s strong expectation of active Kuwaiti participation in the Fourth High-Level International Conference on Water, scheduled to be held in Dushanbe from May 25 to 28, 2026, in cooperation with the United Nations.
The conference is part of the “Dushanbe Water Process” and falls under the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018–2028,” a global framework aimed at advancing sustainable water management and international cooperation on water security challenges.
Speaking at a press conference with media representatives, the ambassador confirmed that Secretary-General of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Nasser Al-Mutairi is expected to attend the conference, alongside possible participation from Kuwait’s Deputy Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Tajik envoy also highlighted progress regarding the opening of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Dushanbe, expressing hope that Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, will attend the official inauguration. He added that Kuwaiti diplomatic staff are expected to arrive in Dushanbe soon to prepare for the embassy’s opening.
The ambassador announced that the fifth session of the Kuwait–Tajikistan Joint Committee will be held in Dushanbe following the embassy inauguration, reflecting growing coordination between the two countries, particularly in water-related issues, which he described as one of the most critical global challenges requiring international cooperation.
He stressed that water is no longer merely an environmental or technical issue, but a comprehensive human, developmental, security, and climate concern that affects food security, energy systems, public health, and urban planning worldwide.
The ambassador noted that under President Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan has placed water at the heart of its international diplomacy, promoting multilateral dialogue and partnerships that bring together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
He explained that the Dushanbe 2026 conference represents a key milestone within the Dushanbe Water Process and will help prepare for the upcoming UN Water Conference hosted by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates. The main goal, he said, is to transform global commitments into practical actions and accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
The conference will serve as an international platform to discuss water resource management, climate resilience, cross-border cooperation, and innovation in the water sector, while also facilitating the exchange of practical solutions through high-level sessions and multilateral engagements.
Responding to questions from journalists, the ambassador stressed the important role of the media in strengthening bilateral relations and fostering mutual understanding between nations.
Meanwhile, Head of the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) mission in Kuwait and the GCC region, Amira Al-Hassan said the conference comes at a time when there is growing global recognition that water is not only an environmental issue but also a critical urban, human, and development priority shaping the future of cities and societies.
She emphasized that sustainable water management is essential for building safe, inclusive, and resilient cities, as it is directly linked to housing, public health, infrastructure, urban planning, and climate change adaptation, particularly in arid regions such as Kuwait and the Gulf countries.
She added that the Dushanbe conference provides a vital platform for exchanging expertise in water management, wastewater reuse, efficiency improvement, smart irrigation, and climate-resilient infrastructure capable of addressing droughts, floods, and rising temperatures.
Al-Hassan concluded that investment in water is fundamentally an investment in people, public health, and societal stability, commending Tajikistan’s leadership in keeping water high on the global agenda through the Dushanbe Water Process and its commitment to multilateral cooperation.
