On 25 May 2026, 170 youth leaders, students, researchers, policymakers, and international experts gathered in Dushanbe for the Dushanbe Youth Water Forum 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), together with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners, the Forum provided a platform for young people to engage directly with decision-makers and contribute to discussions on the future of water governance.
Opening the event, Mr. Ziyozoda Sulaimon, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, joined representatives of international organizations in emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in addressing water-related challenges.
Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, OSCE Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities, highlighted the growing opportunities for regional co-operation in Central Asia and encouraged young people to play an active role in shaping the region's future.
"For all of the young people gathered here today, this is an important moment. You are entering your professional lives at a time when the region is increasingly choosing a path of dialogue and creating new opportunities for co-operation that could bring about interesting prospects for you. Water can become not only a shared challenge, but also a shared platform for regional partnership, innovation, and peace," Ambassador Dzhusupov said.
Through a series of global, regional and national discussions, participants examined how youth engagement can evolve from consultation to meaningful influence and shared decision-making. Sessions focused on accountability in water governance, youth participation in transboundary water co-operation in Central Asia, and opportunities for strengthening youth engagement in national water sector policies and institutions.
A key outcome of the Forum was the development and adoption of the Dushanbe Youth Water Forum Statement, containing recommendations and priority actions to inform the Fourth Dushanbe Water Conference, the 2026 and 2028 United Nations Water Conferences, and broader discussions on the post-2030 water agenda.
Closing the event, Ambassador Salome Steib, Head of the OSCE POiD, emphasized that the Forum had demonstrated the important role young people already play in advancing innovation, resilience, and regional co-operation in the water sector. Ambassador Steib reaffirmed the OSCE's commitment to supporting dialogue, co-operation and inclusive approaches to water governance across Central Asia.
