Today, 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services, and 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation services, while water stress continues to increase, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua said.

DUSHANBE, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The fourth high-level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028) was held in the Tajik capital here from Monday to Thursday.

Once again, the conference brought together the international community to discuss critically important issues on the global water agenda.

The fourth water conference continues Tajikistan's long-standing tradition of providing an inclusive platform for policy dialogue, exchange of views, partnership-building, and the promotion of global action within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process.

During the forum, participants concluded that strengthening cooperation, greater investment and accelerating practical implementation are essential to addressing growing global water challenges.

"Particularly this year, this Dushanbe Water Conference holds great importance," said Retno Marsudi, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Water. "It comes at an important moment between the 2023, 2026 and 2028 United Nations Water Conferences, helping maintain political momentum and strengthen international cooperation at a time when the world urgently needs results."

Marsudi stressed that no single government, institution or organization can address the world's challenges alone. "Only through collective work can we make a difference," she said.

Serik Bekmaganbetov, deputy chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, expressed a similar view, saying: "Nature does not recognize state borders."

"If the environmental situation deteriorates in one place, the consequences gradually spread further. Therefore, we need to act jointly by developing projects and taking concrete actions," said Bekmaganbetov.

Speaking at the conference, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon called on the international community to further promote global cooperation in the water sector.

Quoting recent research, Rahmon noted that global demand for drinking water is expected to increase by at least 25 percent by 2050, which could require 50 percent more food production. At present, around 4 billion people experience at least one month of severe water shortages each year.

These trends underscore the need for a transition to water-efficient technologies, efficient resource management, and better coordination of water, energy and food policies, he said.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua pointed out that while the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is rapidly approaching, progress on SDG 6 and other water-related goals remains significantly off track.

Today, 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services, and 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation services, while water stress continues to increase, Li said, noting that the fourth conference was perfectly timed to accelerate the implementation and reflect on the future architecture of the global water agenda.

Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, for his part, said water issues are directly linked to sustainable development, economic growth, food and energy security, environmental protection, and the well-being of populations.

The conference in Dushanbe concluded with the adoption of the Dushanbe Declaration, as well as several recommendations and outcome documents that will contribute to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference set to take place later this year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).