On the 35th anniversary of the state independence of Tajikistan: the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the modalities of the final conference of the international decade for action “Water for sustainable development”, 2018-2028, and the formation of a new architecture for global water cooperation

The 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan coincides with a significant new stage in the evolution of the global water agenda. On 2 September 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus Resolution A/RES/80/304 on the modalities of the 2028 United Nations Conference on the Final Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028. The Conference will be held in Dushanbe from 4 to 6 May 2028 and will conclude the International Decade initiated by Tajikistan. This article examines the resolution in the broader context of the evolution of international water diplomacy, the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, the outcomes of the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, the forthcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference and the Dushanbe Water Process. Particular attention is paid to the decision to develop an intergovernmentally negotiated, non-binding and action-oriented outcome document serving as the “Dushanbe Water Framework”. It is argued that Resolution A/RES/80/304 creates an institutional foundation for strengthening continuity, coordination and accountability within global water cooperation beyond the conclusion of the Water Action Decade. At the same time, the article considers the positions expressed by Member States regarding the relationship between the 2026 and 2028 Conferences and the need to avoid prejudging future intergovernmental processes. In the context of the 35th anniversary of State Independence, the adoption of the resolution is assessed as a significant stage in the development of Tajikistan’s water diplomacy and its contribution to shaping the emerging architecture of international cooperation on water.

Republic of Tajikistan, State Independence, water diplomacy, United Nations, Dushanbe Water Framework, Water Action Decade, sustainable development, SDG 6, global water governance, international cooperation, Dushanbe Water Process.