Ethiopia joins Second Dushanbe Water Conference

Dushanbe, 9 June 2022 (TDI): The 2nd High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, is taking place from 6 June to 9 June 2022.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation at different levels by enhancing dialogue, partnership, and cross-sectoral approaches.

The main purpose of the meeting was to support sustainable development and integrated management of water resources.

It aimed at enhancing cooperation and partnerships to accomplish internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia attended the meeting. This delegation was headed by the Ethiopian State Minister of Water and Energy, Abraha Adugna.

Minister Abraha emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to the execution of SDG 6. At the same time, the country has incorporated SDG 6 into its Ten-year National Development Plan.

Overview and Introduction of the Meeting

The meeting also focused on enhancing science-based solutions and tools, including data, technologies, and innovations.

Some negative circumstances, such as COVID-19 and climate change, have resulted in a drought that endangers the implementation of the process.

Accordingly, there are 50 million Ethiopians who have no access to adequate and safe drinking water. Meanwhile, 80% of the population is exposed to poor sanitation.

Also, Minister Adugna said that supporting various initiatives in environmentally friendly and hydraulic infrastructure developments was imperative.

For example, the Green Legacy Initiative can not only restore the wetland ecosystem but also promote regional partnerships.

Moreover, the Ethiopian official said that depoliticizing water issues and making genuine partners are necessary to solve the challenges.

Apart from the conference, Adugna also had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Water of the Netherlands. During the meeting, the two talked about their mutual concerns.

Furthermore, the meeting aimed to produce a final declaration, a co-chair’s summary, and the call for action and partnerships of the first Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference.

The Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations jointly organized the meeting to deliberate on issues critical to water.