Republic of Tajikistan and the United Nations Convene “Water and AI” Forum in Dushanbe to Advance Innovative AI-powered Solutions to Global Water Challenges

The event was co-organized by the Agency of Innovation and Digital Technologies, Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, in collaboration with the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies and UN Resident Coordinator Office in Tajikistan, within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process. 

The forum brought together national and international stakeholders to explore: 

•           Water for AI – ensuring that AI development and deployment are aligned with sustainable water management and do not exacerbate water stress; and

•           AI for Water – leveraging AI as a tool to strengthen water availability, resilience, and inclusive access, particularly in climate-vulnerable and water-scarce regions.

The event highlighted Tajikistan’s leadership in promoting water diplomacy and its strong partnership with the UN in advancing the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028). Participants underscored the importance of aligning technological innovation with environmental sustainability, particularly in the context of climate change and glaciers’ preservation. Participants also noted that we need to promote AI with Purpose and AI for Humanity.

Discussions focused on leveraging AI to enhance early warning systems, improve water efficiency, and build resilience in water-scarce and climate-vulnerable contexts. Within the forum, the participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation at the intersection of water, climate, and digitalization. 

The Forum also emphasized the need for inclusive partnerships, capacity-building, ethical considerations of AI use and bridging digital divides to ensure that AI-driven solutions benefit all. It was stressed that AI combined with science can generate optimized solutions. Awareness, reality check, and contextual understanding can enable adoption and acceleration of AI models. Outcomes of the forum will contribute to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference and support continued collaboration between the Government of Tajikistan and the UN in delivering sustainable development results.