Cross-Border Cooperation, Water Security and Climate Oversight: Key Recommendations from Seminar in Dushanbe

The IPA CIS has received the outcome document of the First Regional Seminar for the Parliaments of Eurasia, entitled "Addressing Climate Change and Sustainable Development Challenges through Parliamentary Action". The event, organized by the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), brought together more than 40 participants from eight countries of the region in Dushanbe on 22-23 May 2026.

One of the seminar's key themes was sustainable development in the context of climate change. The session was moderated by Chair of the Committee of the Majlisi namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan on Agrarian Issues, Water and Land Resources and a member of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Agrarian Policy, Natural Resources and Ecology Rustam Latifzoda. Experts from UNDP, FAO and environmental organizations provided an overview of the regional situation, highlighting challenges such as glacier retreat, water scarcity and biodiversity loss.

Participants proposed developing a comprehensive plan for coordinating parliamentary activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening parliamentary oversight of the implementation of climate commitments, and promoting climate policies that take gender considerations into account.

The session on water resources was moderated by Chair of the Environmental Commission of the Majlisi namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan and Deputy Chair of the IPA CIS Expert Advisory Board on Ecology and Environmental Management Orif Amirzoda. Participants emphasized the critical importance of cross-border cooperation for the sustainable management of water resources.

Among the seminar's recommendations were measures to promote transboundary cooperation in sustainable water management, modernize irrigation systems, introduce advanced monitoring technologies, and encourage the use of artificial intelligence to improve water resource management systems.

The Parliament of Tajikistan presented a roadmap aimed at strengthening parliamentary cooperation across Eurasia. The document envisages expanding interparliamentary dialogue, establishing joint monitoring mechanisms, enhancing cooperation in climate finance, and promoting the exchange of best practices.