Frontiers of Transboundary Cooperation: BPCA convened high-level Pre-conference forum ahead of the 2026 UN Water conference

More than 100 representatives from governments, regional organizations, development partners, river basin organizations, and international experts gathered in Dushanbe for the Pre-Conference Forum "Frontiers of Transboundary Cooperation: Tools and Actions for Sustainable Water Management." Organized by the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) initiative together with World Bank’s Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), the forum served as a key regional milestone in preparation for the 2026 UN Water Conference, highlighting Central Asia's growing role in advancing practical solutions for transboundary water cooperation.

Pre-forum brought together decision-makers and technical experts to exchange experiences on strengthening cooperation across shared river basins through science, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking.

Central Asia has long demonstrated that effective transboundary water management depends not only on legal frameworks but also on trust, reliable data, and sustained technical collaboration. Building on this experience, participants explored how practical tools, including digital water information systems, water accounting, climate risk analytics, basin-wide modelling, and decision-support platforms, can help countries jointly respond to increasing pressures from climate change, water scarcity, and competing sectoral demands.

The forum opened with a high-level ministerial dialogue featuring representatives from the water authorities of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside development partners and international organizations. Discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening regional institutions while promoting practical cooperation that translates policy commitments into coordinated action across shared river basins.

Throughout three expert sessions, participants examined innovative approaches to climate adaptation, digital transformation of the water sector, institutional cooperation, and basin-wide coordination. Speakers shared experiences from regional initiatives and international programmes, demonstrating how digital technologies and scientific evidence can improve water governance, strengthen transparency, and support informed decision-making across borders.

A recurring message throughout the Forum was that shared data builds shared trust. Participants highlighted that digitalization, open information exchange, and evidence-based planning are becoming essential foundations for resilient transboundary cooperation, particularly as climate variability increases uncertainty over water availability.

The Forum also showcased how regional initiativesб including Blue Peace Central Asia, are supporting countries in translating cooperation into practical action by strengthening institutional capacities, promoting knowledge exchange, and facilitating the application of innovative water management tools. These efforts contribute directly to achieving SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation, while also advancing climate resilience, food security, energy cooperation, and regional peace.

The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen cooperation between governments, river basin organizations, development partners, and research institutions. Participants also supported developing a policy and technical synthesis of the Forum's recommendations to contribute to the 2026 UN Water Conference and future global water processes.

As one of the key preparatory events for the international conference, the Forum reaffirmed Central Asia's commitment to moving beyond dialogue towards practical cooperation—where science, innovation, and regional partnership work together to build more resilient and sustainable management of shared water resources.