Participation of the UN Secretary-General at the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015
On 20 May 2015 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan there was held a briefing for the heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions and international organization accredited in Dushanbe during which it was informed that H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon the UN Secretary-General would participate at the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 to be held on 9-11 June 2015 in Dushanbe.
It was particularly highlighted that the participation of the UN Secretary-General at the Dushanbe Conference confirms the importance of this international event for the United Nations and the entire international community, especially in light of the development and adoption of sustainable development goals, one of which is sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 will be held in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution of 19 December 2014, entitled “International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005–2015, and further efforts to achieve the sustainable development of water resources.”
The primary objective of the Conference is a comprehensive discussion of the issues of implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, which will later play a crucial role in conducting a comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade by raising the awareness of the wider international community about its results.
With a view of successful holding of the Conference, the National Preparatory Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, a Working group, consisting of the representatives of ministries and agencies, as well as the Secretariat of the Conference are continuing the work to attract UN Member States, international and regional organizations, basin organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders to actively participate in the Conference.
The Conference programme consists of two high-level plenary session, two thematic sessions on the implementation of the Decade, six high-level round tables, four pre-conference events on such themes as “Water and children”, “Water and Women”, “Water and least developed countries and small island developing states” and “Water and mountainous countries”. The pre-conference events will be hold on 8 June 2015 in the National Library building.
Regarding the participation in the work of the Conference it is worth mentioning that as of today the Conference secretariat has received confirmation of participation of about 72 delegations of the UN Member States, including at the level of prime minister, deputy prime ministers, as well as foreign ministers and ministers of water resources and irrigation of the UN member states.
Among other institutions and specialized agencies of the United Nations as of today such organizations as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN-Water, UN-Women, UNEP, UNU, UN-HABITAT, ISDR, etc. have confirmed their participation. There are confirmations of participation of the UN Regional Commissions – UNECE, UNECA and UNESCAP.
From the international and regional financial institutions the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Eurasian Development Bank will participate at the Conference. Thus, today more than 50 international and regional organizations have already confirmed their participation at the Conference.The total number of registered participants for today is about 750 people representing all regions of the world.
The Dushanbe Conference will provide a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to exchange views, knowledge, achievements and practices for the implementation of the International Decade, the difficulties and challenges in the implementation of the decade, and, at the same time, will develop key recommendations for the next steps for post 2015 period.
