When, local time: Tuesday, 20 August 2013 - 8:00am to Wednesday, 21 August 2013 - 6:00pm

Where: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Type of Event: Category 4- International Congress

Focal point: SC

Language of event: English

Theme page: Science for a Sustainable Future, Building Peace Programmes, Science for Society, Water Security

Major Programme: Natural sciences

Links: International Year of Water Cooperation 2013


The overall objective of the Conference is to promote dialogue and mutual understanding and to strengthen the partnerships and cooperation on water issues among all concerned stakeholders and at all levels.

This event is a contribution to the implementation of Resolution 67/204 of the UN General Assembly related to the implementation of the International Year of Water Cooperation (IYWC). The Conference will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with UN agencies, in Dushanbe on 20 and 21 August.

UNESCO, as the lead agency in charge of the coordination of the International Year of Water Cooperation is involved in supporting the preparation and the holding of the Conference in various ways.
The main objective of the Conference is to contribute to the improvement of water cooperation, in particular at the transboundary level, by advocating successful policies and best practices, wider public participation, and encouragement of policy makers to promote water cooperation at all levels to contribute to the achievement of the internationally agreed goals on water.

The Conference also provides an opportunity to discuss and develop new measures aiming to accelerate efforts to achieve the MDGs and recommendations for further actions after 2015 including a contribution to define water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan is hosting the Conference under the Chairmanship of Mr Akilov, Prime Minister of the country, and with the support of various UN agencies.

Conference program includes:

a) Two High-level Plenary sessions. The DG will take the floor in the first one on 20 August 2013 to make a speech;
b) High-level panels on four main themes (in accordance with the key messages for the IYWC identified by UNESCO) and four cross-cutting issues:
Main themes
1- Water Cooperation for Human Development
2- Water Cooperation for Economic Benefits
3- Water Cooperation for Ecosystems
4- Water Cooperation across Borders.

Cross-cutting issues
5- Water Cooperation and Gender
6- Water Cooperation and Capacity-Building
7- Water Cooperation and Sectoral Synergies
8- Triggers and Catalysts for Water Cooperation

UNESCO-IHP in close collaboration with UNECE is co-organizing high-level panel 4.

c) Special focused events to be organized by different organizations. IHP and WWAP will be organizing a Special Focused Event on “Hydrodiplomacy: dealing with water interdependencies to achieve water security for all” on 20 August 2013, from 16:30 until 18:30 (Hall No. 5) ;

d) Water Exhibition and thematic presentations.