Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 11 June 2024 – On the 4^th day of his official visit to the Republic of Tajikistan, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) President and Group Chairman, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, has participated in the 3^rd Dushanbe Water Action decade Conference.

The international event was opened with a statement by the Hon. President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. President Emomali Rahmon.

In addition to ministers and ranking officials from the host country, senior officials were present from several other nations including Member of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Prime Minister of the Gabonese Republic; Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Vice President of the Republic of Angola, Vice President of the Republic of Zambia,  as well as President of the UN General Assembly; President of the UN Economic and Social Council; Director General of UNESCO; UN Under-Secretary for Economic and Social Affairs; Vatican Secretary of State; and Global Director of the Water Global Practice of the World Bank Group.  

In his keynote address to the audience, H.E. Dr. Al Jasser commended the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for its dedication to organizing this biennial international event under the Dushanbe Water Process, in partnership with the United Nations.  

Since 2018, the conference has gained momentum by reviewing progress in managing and safeguarding water resources, enhancing international cooperation, and addressing emerging global water challenges, such as climate change and water scarcity.

Referring to integrated water resource management as a pillar of the Bank’s Water Sector Policy, Dr. Al Jasser spotlighted IsDB Group's efforts in integrated water management through Tajikistan's Danghara Valley irrigation project, resulting in huge water savings & better crop yields.

He further explained how IsDB approved a US$150M financing in April 2024 for the monumental 3,780 megawatt Rogun Hydropower Plant which is set to provide renewable energy to Tajikistan as well as other countries in Central Asia through innovative partnerships with the World Bank Group as well as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

In the past 50 years, IsDB has invested over US$24 billion in agriculture and rural development and US$8.2 billion in water supply and sanitation in urban and rural areas of its member countries.

Dr. Al Jasser further stated that "the world is off track on ensuring access to clean water & sanitation for all." He said that about 258 million people in IsDB member countries still lack access to basic drinking water, the majority in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Al Jasser then urged a renewed commitment to the Water Action Decade principles that call for rational resource use and global solidarity to achieve SDG 6.