On 26 May 2026, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev took part in the Fourth High-Level International Conference under the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018–2028” in Dushanbe. The event, organized by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, was attended by high-level representatives from SCO member states, relevant UN bodies, other international and regional organizations, global financial institutions, academia, business, and civil society.
In his remarks, Nurlan Yermekbayev welcomed Tajikistan’s efforts to advance water diplomacy. The Secretary-General informed participants about the SCO’s work in the field of environmental protection, emphasizing that the Organization, recognizing the critical role of water in achieving sustainable development, consistently upholds the principles of equitable and rational use of this vital resource.
It was noted that in 2024, the heads of SCO member states adopted a statement on ensuring the safety of drinking water and sanitation, which highlights the need for increased attention to the rational use of water resources, their integrated management, and the expansion of cooperation to facilitate universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. A number of initiatives in this area were noted, including the proposal by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to establish an SCO Center for the Study of Water Issues.
