35 years of independence – 35 major achievements of Tajikistan: a path of creation, sustainable development and national progress. Part II

1. Advancement of Women and Expansion of Their Role in Public and Economic Life

The growing participation of women in education, public administration, science, healthcare and entrepreneurship represents an important social transformation of the independence period. State policy has increasingly emphasized access to education, professional development, leadership opportunities and economic participation as mechanisms for strengthening the role of women in national development.

Official data illustrate the breadth of this participation. Women currently account for approximately 25 percent of civil servants, 73 percent of employees in education, 71 percent in healthcare, 47 percent in culture, 37 percent of scientific personnel and 30 percent of entrepreneurs. More than 110,000 women are engaged in entrepreneurial activity, reflecting the growing contribution of women to private-sector development and household income generation.

Expansion of educational opportunities has been particularly significant. During the independence period, more than 280,000 girls and women graduated from higher educational institutions. More than 11,600 completed higher education through the Presidential quota mechanism, while over 35,000 women obtained higher education abroad. In the mid-2020s, women represented approximately 42 percent of students enrolled in higher professional education institutions [2].

These changes have broadened the presence of women in professions and spheres that were previously less accessible, including public administration, scientific research, business, engineering, security institutions and other specialized fields. The increasing number of educated and professionally active women has strengthened the country’s human-capital base and expanded the range of participants in economic and institutional development.

Further progress will depend on increasing women’s representation in senior decision-making positions, supporting productive entrepreneurship, ensuring equal access to professional advancement and reducing barriers that limit participation in high-growth and technology-intensive sectors. The achievements of the independence period nevertheless demonstrate a substantial expansion of women’s educational, professional and economic opportunities.

1. Strengthening Science, Research and Innovation Capacity

The development of national scientific capacity has acquired increasing strategic importance in Tajikistan during the independence period. As economic modernization has accelerated and technological requirements have become more complex, scientific research, technical knowledge, innovation and the preparation of highly qualified specialists have increasingly been viewed as essential components of the country’s long-term competitiveness.

An important institutional milestone was reached in 2020, when the Academy of Sciences was reorganized and granted the status of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. This reform strengthened the institutional position of the country’s principal scientific organization and reflected a broader effort to improve coordination of research in the natural, technical, medical, agricultural, social and humanitarian sciences.

State support for scientific activity has also expanded. In 2024, public financing for science reached approximately 225 million somoni, an increase of 45 million somoni compared with the previous year. At the same time, national development policy envisages a gradual increase in total expenditure on science, with the National Development Strategy setting the objective of bringing such spending to 1.5 percent of GDP by 2030. These measures indicate a shift towards treating research capacity not merely as an academic function but as an investment in technological and socioeconomic development.

Particular attention has been directed towards strengthening the natural, exact and mathematical sciences. The period 2020-2040 was declared the “Twenty Years of the Study and Development of Natural, Exact and Mathematical Sciences in the Fields of Science and Education.” This long-term initiative is intended to strengthen scientific thinking, stimulate interest in technical disciplines, encourage invention and innovation, and create a stronger foundation for the preparation of specialists capable of working with contemporary technologies.

The growing emphasis on innovation has also increased expectations that scientific institutions should contribute more directly to practical development. Research in engineering, energy, agriculture, medicine, environmental science and other applied fields is increasingly relevant to national modernization, while cooperation among research institutes, universities and productive sectors can strengthen the practical impact of scientific work.

Initiatives aimed at identifying and supporting young scientific talent have developed in parallel. National competitions such as “Ilm – Furughi Ma’rifat” encourage students, young researchers, engineers and inventors to engage with mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, information technologies and other scientific disciplines, while promoting technical thinking and the practical application of research results [2].

The central challenge for the next stage is to strengthen the connection between scientific research and the real economy. Greater commercialization of research results, modern laboratory infrastructure, competitive research funding, international scientific collaboration and stronger cooperation between universities, research institutes and industrial enterprises will be essential if scientific knowledge is to generate measurable technological and economic value.

Thus, the strengthening of science during the independence period reflects a gradual transition from preserving national research institutions towards building a more innovation-oriented scientific environment. The combination of institutional reform, increased public support, development of exact and natural sciences, cultivation of young researchers and closer links between science and technology provides an important foundation for Tajikistan’s longer-term transition towards a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.

1. Accelerating Digital Transformation and E-Government

Digital transformation has become one of the newest structural directions of Tajikistan’s modernization agenda. The increasing use of digital technologies in public administration, finance, communications, education and business is gradually changing the mechanisms through which citizens, enterprises and state institutions interact.

A major policy milestone was the declaration of 2025-2030 as the “Years of Digital Economy and Innovation Development.” The initiative established a coordinated framework for accelerating the digitalization of the national economy and public services and for strengthening the legal, institutional and technological foundations required for a modern digital environment.

The national agenda encompasses several interconnected priorities: development of digital infrastructure, including advanced communications networks and data-processing capacity; creation of a comprehensive national data platform; wider digitalization of public services; expansion of cashless payments and e-commerce; development of information-technology specialists; and stronger cybersecurity mechanisms. These measures are intended to increase administrative efficiency, transparency and accessibility while reducing dependence on paper-based procedures.

Concrete institutional steps intensified in 2025. Government bodies were instructed to connect to interdepartmental information-integration systems, expand digital public services and introduce full electronic document flow in central state institutions. The transition towards e-government therefore increasingly involves interoperability between information systems rather than the isolated digitization of individual administrative procedures.

Digitalization also provides the technological foundation for more advanced forms of innovation. Reliable data infrastructure, digital identification, electronic services, professional IT skills and cybersecurity are prerequisites for the wider application of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. In this sense, digital transformation and artificial intelligence constitute related but distinct stages of technological modernization [2].

The long-term significance of this process will depend on the quality and inclusiveness of implementation. Expanding affordable connectivity, ensuring protection of personal and institutional data, improving digital literacy and developing interoperable public platforms will be essential for transforming digital technologies into sustained gains in productivity, service quality and economic competitiveness.

1. Advancing Artificial Intelligence as a National Priority and Global Initiative

Artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the newest dimensions of Tajikistan’s development agenda, reflecting the country’s broader transition towards digitalization, technological modernization and innovation-driven growth. In recent years, attention has increasingly shifted from the adoption of individual digital technologies towards the creation of an institutional environment capable of supporting artificial intelligence research, education, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and responsible governance.

This direction is reflected in Tajikistan’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence Development until 2040, which has positioned AI within the country’s long-term technological agenda. The strategic approach emphasizes the development of digital infrastructure and professional competencies, the application of emerging technologies across different sectors of the economy and public administration, and the gradual creation of an innovation ecosystem capable of supporting domestic technological capacity.

Tajikistan’s engagement in artificial intelligence has increasingly acquired a regional dimension. On 25 July 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/79/322, “Role of Artificial Intelligence in Creating New Opportunities for Sustainable Development in Central Asia.” The initiative was introduced by Tajikistan on behalf of the Central Asian states and represented an important step towards placing the technological development of the region on the international agenda [11].

The resolution encourages cooperation in AI education and professional training, international scientific research, knowledge and technology exchange, access to computing resources and the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the digital economy. It also recognizes the initiative to establish a Regional Artificial Intelligence Centre in Dushanbe, intended to contribute to AI capacity-building and the creation of new opportunities for sustainable development throughout Central Asia.

The regional initiative demonstrates an increasingly comprehensive understanding of artificial intelligence development. Rather than treating AI exclusively as a technological instrument, the proposed framework links it with human-capital formation, university and research cooperation, startup ecosystems, data and computing infrastructure, entrepreneurship and the development of approaches for safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems. Such an approach reflects the growing importance of balancing technological innovation with responsible governance.

A further and particularly significant milestone was reached immediately before the 35th anniversary of State Independence. On 31 August 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted another resolution initiated by the Republic of Tajikistan – “International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence” (A/80/L.106). The resolution was supported by 144 Member States, with two voting against and three abstaining, and designated 31 August as an annual International Day beginning in 2027 [12].

The establishment of this International Day creates a recurring global platform for raising awareness of the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence, promoting international cooperation, exchanging experience and encouraging the development and use of AI systems that are safe, secure and trustworthy. The resolution also calls for engagement by relevant United Nations agencies and organizations in supporting AI capacity-building and the observance of the International Day.

The sequence of the two United Nations initiatives is particularly noteworthy. The 2025 resolution placed Central Asian cooperation on artificial intelligence within the multilateral development agenda, whereas the 2026 initiative advanced the discussion to the global level by establishing an international observance dedicated specifically to responsible artificial intelligence. Together, they demonstrate the rapid evolution of Tajikistan’s role from a participant in emerging technological discussions towards an initiator of international cooperation in this field.

From the perspective of the 35 years of independence, this development carries considerable symbolic significance. Tajikistan’s international initiatives during earlier decades were strongly associated with peace, water resources, sustainable development and glacier preservation. The addition of artificial intelligence to this diplomatic agenda demonstrates an expansion into one of the defining technological issues of the twenty-first century.

Thus, the emergence of artificial intelligence as a strategic priority represents more than the adoption of a new technology. It reflects Tajikistan’s growing emphasis on scientific capacity, digital skills, innovation infrastructure and responsible technological governance, while the establishment of the International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence marks an important contribution by the country to the evolving global dialogue on the future of AI.

28. Preservation and Global Recognition of Tajikistan’s Cultural Heritage

The preservation of historical memory and cultural identity has constituted an important dimension of nation-building in Tajikistan throughout the independence period. Alongside political and economic transformation, considerable attention has been devoted to safeguarding archaeological monuments, architectural sites, literary traditions, music, traditional crafts, national celebrations and other forms of tangible and intangible heritage that reflect the historical continuity of Tajik civilization.

This policy has combined physical preservation with institutional and cultural development. Historical and cultural monuments have been restored, new museums, libraries, theatres and cultural institutions have been established, and mechanisms for the protection of heritage sites have gradually been strengthened. According to official national data, more than 100 historical and cultural monuments of national and international significance were repaired or reconstructed during the independence period. In addition, the country developed new cultural infrastructure, including theatres, museums, libraries, art schools, cultural palaces and recreational facilities, thereby expanding opportunities for the preservation and public presentation of national culture.

An increasingly important dimension of this process has been the international recognition of Tajikistan’s heritage through UNESCO. As of 2026, Tajikistan has five properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, comprising three cultural and two natural properties. These are the Proto-urban Site of Sarazm (2010), Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (2013), the transnational Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum (2023), the Tugay Forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve (2023), and the Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (2025) [6].

The inscription of the Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal in 2025 marked a particularly important addition to this international representation. The serial property comprises ten archaeological sites and one monument situated within the historical territory of Khuttal and reflects the region’s significance between the seventh and sixteenth centuries. Its archaeological remains demonstrate the role of this area in Silk Roads trade and in the exchange of cultural, religious and technological traditions across Central Asia.

International recognition has expanded equally strongly in the field of intangible cultural heritage. By 2026, UNESCO records 13 elements associated with Tajikistan on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include The Nawrouz celebration; Shashmaqom music; Oshi Palav and its social and cultural traditions; Chakan embroidery; Falak; sericulture and traditional silk production; the storytelling traditions associated with Nasreddin Hodja; the art of illumination; the Sada celebration; traditional knowledge and skills related to atlas and adras fabrics; the Ceremony of Mehrgon; the art of crafting and playing the rubab; the Culture of Sumanak/Sumalak cooking. Several of these elements are multinational nominations reflecting cultural traditions shared across Central Asia and neighboring regions.

The most recent national inscription, Culture of Sumanak/Sumalak cooking, was added to the Representative List in 2025. The tradition encompasses not only the preparation of a ceremonial dish from sprouted wheat but also communal participation, music, social interaction and intergenerational transmission associated particularly with Navruz celebrations. Its recognition illustrates how everyday cultural practices can function as carriers of collective memory, social cohesion and cultural identity.

The growing international recognition of Tajik heritage has implications extending beyond cultural preservation itself. UNESCO inscriptions contribute to cultural diplomacy, strengthen international awareness of Tajikistan’s historical and civilizational heritage and provide additional opportunities for the development of cultural, archaeological, ecological and heritage-based tourism. At the same time, international status increases the responsibility to ensure effective conservation, professional management and sustainable use of recognized sites and traditions [7].

The preservation of intangible heritage is particularly important because many cultural traditions survive through continuous practice rather than through physical monuments. Music, craftsmanship, textile production, culinary traditions, celebrations and oral knowledge depend upon their transmission from one generation to another. Their international recognition therefore complements domestic efforts to maintain cultural continuity while allowing these traditions to develop within a changing social environment.

The progress achieved during the independence period demonstrates a gradual transition from the restoration and safeguarding of national heritage towards its systematic international presentation. Tajikistan’s growing representation on UNESCO lists shows that cultural policy has increasingly acquired a diplomatic and developmental dimension, connecting the preservation of national identity with international cultural cooperation, education and sustainable tourism.

In this context, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage represents more than an effort to preserve the past. It serves as an instrument for strengthening historical consciousness, transmitting cultural knowledge to younger generations and presenting Tajikistan’s contribution to the broader heritage of humanity. The combination of domestic preservation measures and expanding UNESCO recognition can therefore be regarded as one of the significant cultural achievements of the independence period.

29. Expansion of Sports Infrastructure and International Sporting Achievements

The development of sport has become an increasingly visible component of Tajikistan’s social policy and international representation during the independence period. Investment in sports infrastructure has been combined with programs encouraging youth participation, healthy lifestyles and the professional development of athletes capable of competing at regional, continental and global levels.

The physical base of the sector has expanded considerably. Official national data indicate that more than 10,000 sports facilities were constructed during the years of independence, increasing access to stadiums, sports grounds, halls and specialized training facilities in cities and districts throughout the country. This expansion has created a substantially broader environment for both mass participation and professional training [2].

The broader significance of sports development lies in its social function. Accessible facilities and organized physical activity support public health, youth engagement and community participation, while international sporting success provides an additional channel for promoting the country abroad. The expansion of infrastructure and the accumulation of Olympic achievements can therefore be regarded as complementary dimensions of Tajikistan’s progress in this field.

30. Development of Tourism and Expansion of the National Tourism Economy

Tourism has gradually evolved into an increasingly important component of Tajikistan’s economic diversification and international positioning during the independence period. The country’s combination of high-mountain landscapes, protected natural areas, archaeological sites, historical cities, traditional culture and distinctive national cuisine creates opportunities for a wide range of tourism activities and enables the sector to contribute simultaneously to entrepreneurship, regional development, employment and the international promotion of Tajikistan.

The institutional foundations for the sector were strengthened considerably in the late 2010s. In 2018, the Tourism Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the Period up to 2030 was adopted, establishing a long-term framework for improving tourism infrastructure, service quality, investment conditions, professional training and the promotion of the country’s tourism potential. The same year was declared the Year of Tourism Development and Folk Crafts, followed by the designation of 2019-2021 as the Years of Rural Development, Tourism and Folk Crafts. These initiatives linked tourism development with the modernization of rural infrastructure and the revival of traditional crafts.

The subsequent expansion of international arrivals illustrates the growing scale of the sector. According to the Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2.1047 million foreign citizens visited the country in 2025. Of this number, approximately 1.7844 million were classified as tourists in accordance with the methodology of UN Tourism, representing an increase of 27.4 percent compared with 2024. The distinction between total foreign arrivals and persons statistically classified as tourists is important for accurately assessing the development of the sector.

Tourism infrastructure has expanded alongside visitor numbers. In 2025, 194 registered tourism companies and 225 hotels operated throughout the country. The accommodation network also included 63 hostels and motels, 56 sanatoriums, six medical and wellness centers, ten holiday homes and several tourism and recreational facilities. Revenue generated by the relevant service-sector entities exceeded 798 million somoni during the year [2].

The economic significance of tourism is particularly important for mountainous and rural regions, where opportunities for large-scale industrial activity may be limited. Adventure and mountain tourism, ecotourism, cultural and archaeological tourism, health and wellness tourism, gastronomic tourism and community-based tourism can generate demand for accommodation, transport, guiding services, handicrafts, agricultural products and other locally provided goods and services. Tourism therefore has the potential to distribute economic activity beyond the principal urban centers and to create additional income opportunities for local communities.

Tajikistan’s natural geography provides a particularly strong basis for specialized tourism. The Pamir and Fan Mountains, high-altitude lakes, glaciers, protected landscapes and the Pamir Highway create opportunities for mountaineering, trekking, cycling, ecological and adventure tourism. At the same time, archaeological monuments, UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, traditional festivals, music, crafts and cuisine support the expansion of cultural and heritage-based tourism.

The next stage of development will depend increasingly on the quality rather than simply the quantity of tourism growth. Improving transport accessibility, accommodation standards, professional training, digital tourism services, international marketing, destination management and environmental sustainability will be essential for increasing visitor expenditure and extending the duration of stays. Particular attention will also be required to ensure that tourism development does not undermine the natural and cultural resources upon which the sector itself depends.

Thus, the transformation of tourism during the independence period reflects a transition from a relatively limited sector towards a more structured and diversified component of the national economy. Growing visitor numbers, expansion of tourism infrastructure and the emergence of specialized forms of travel demonstrate Tajikistan’s increasing capacity to convert its natural, historical and cultural resources into opportunities for sustainable economic development and stronger international visibility.

31. Environmental Protection, Biodiversity Conservation
    and the Green Economy Transition

Environmental protection has acquired increasing strategic importance in Tajikistan as the country seeks to reconcile economic development with the conservation of its mountain ecosystems, forests, biodiversity and water resources. During the independence period, environmental policy has gradually evolved from the protection of individual natural sites towards a broader approach combining conservation, climate adaptation and principles of green economic development.

One of the clearest indicators of this shift is the expansion of specially protected natural areas. Official data show that their total area increased from approximately 420,000 hectares at the beginning of the independence period to around 3.1 million hectares, equivalent to about 22 percent of the national territory. This expansion has significantly increased the share of land placed under various forms of environmental protection.

The protected-area system now includes nature reserves, natural parks, a biosphere reserve and other conservation territories designed to safeguard representative ecosystems and vulnerable species. In 2024, Tajikistan also joined the International Union for Conservation of Nature, creating additional opportunities for cooperation with international environmental institutions and access to conservation expertise and financing [5].

Environmental policy has increasingly been linked with economic modernization. The Green Economy Development Strategy for 2023-2037 establishes a long-term framework for institutional reform, more efficient use of natural capital, attraction of green investment and introduction of modern and environmentally sustainable technologies. Its implementation is intended to integrate green principles progressively into energy, industry, agriculture, transport, construction and other sectors.

This domestic environmental agenda complements, but is distinct from, Tajikistan’s international initiatives on water and glaciers. Protected-area expansion, biodiversity conservation and the green-economy framework address the management of natural resources within the country, while water and glacier diplomacy seek broader multilateral responses to transboundary and global environmental challenges.

The transition towards a greener development model will require continued investment in climate resilience, waste and pollution management, ecosystem restoration, energy efficiency and environmentally responsible production. Nevertheless, the substantial expansion of protected territories and the adoption of a national green-economy strategy demonstrate the growing integration of environmental objectives into Tajikistan’s long-term development policy.

32. Tajikistan’s Global Leadership in Green Diplomacy and the Institutionalization of the Water Agenda at the United Nations

One of the most internationally significant achievements of independent Tajikistan has been the gradual transformation of water diplomacy into a sustained field of multilateral activity within the United Nations system. Over the independence period, the country has consistently advanced initiatives linking freshwater resources with sustainable development, international cooperation, climate resilience, glacier preservation and the broader security and development interests of present and future generations [1].

A particularly important indicator of the scale of this engagement is the number of resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. According to an official submission of the Republic of Tajikistan published by the United Nations in October 2025, 14 General Assembly resolutions had been adopted at Tajikistan’s initiative in the fields of water, climate and cryosphere preservation. These resolutions created the institutional basis for a sequence of international years, decades, conferences and review mechanisms that progressively strengthened the position of water-related issues on the global agenda.

Among the most prominent initiatives were the International Year of Freshwater, 2003; the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015; the International Year of Water Cooperation, 2013; and the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 [8]. The agenda was later expanded through initiatives concerning glaciers and the cryosphere, including the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, 2025 and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034 [10].

This resolution-based diplomacy continued immediately before the 35th anniversary of State Independence. On 2 September 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, without a vote, Resolution A/RES/80/304, entitled “Modalities of the 2028 United Nations Conference on the Final Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Sustainable Development’, 2018-2028.”

Resolution A/RES/80/304 established the modalities of the 2028 United Nations Water Conference, which will be hosted by the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe from 4 to 6 May 2028. The Conference will conduct the final comprehensive review of the implementation of the objectives of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028 and will therefore represent the concluding global review of one of Tajikistan’s principal international initiatives [8].

A particularly significant provision of the resolution concerns the future of international water cooperation beyond the conclusion of the Decade. The General Assembly decided that the 2028 Conference would agree on an action-oriented intergovernmental outcome document serving as the “Dushanbe Water Framework.” According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, this represents an important innovation in the institutional development of United Nations water conferences, since the proposed Framework is intended to provide a common basis for advancing international water action beyond the current Water Action Decade.

The resolution also provides for a one-day high-level meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2027 under the chairmanship of Tajikistan to support preparations for the 2028 Conference. It further establishes six interactive dialogue themes: Water for People; Water for Prosperity; Water for Planet; Water for Cooperation; Water in Multilateral Processes; and Investments for Water.

This institutional continuity has been reinforced through the Dushanbe Water Process, which has developed into an established international platform for reviewing progress, mobilizing partnerships and connecting successive stages of the global water agenda. Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands co-hosted the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York, while Dushanbe hosted the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 in May 2026. The sequence of the 2023, 2026 and 2028 conferences increasingly reflects a continuous multilateral process rather than a series of isolated events.

The significance of Tajikistan’s water diplomacy therefore extends beyond individual conferences or declarations. Its principal achievement lies in the creation of a sustained chain of United Nations resolutions, international observances, decades of action, review conferences and follow-up mechanisms through which water has remained a recurring subject of multilateral cooperation.

From the perspective of the 35 years of State Independence, this represents a notable evolution in Tajikistan’s international role. An issue rooted directly in the country’s geography, freshwater resources and development interests has been progressively transformed into a global diplomatic agenda.

This role continued immediately before the 35th anniversary of State Independence. From 25 to 28 May 2026, Dushanbe hosted the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028. The conference formed part of the Dushanbe Water Process and served as an important preparatory platform for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The United Nations emphasized that the Dushanbe conferences have become an important mechanism for accelerating progress on water-related commitments and connecting water policy with climate, biodiversity, disaster-risk reduction and sustainable development.

A further milestone was reached on 2 September 2026, immediately before the 35th anniversary of State Independence, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/80/304, entitled “Modalities of the 2028 United Nations Conference on the Final Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Sustainable Development’, 2018-2028.” The resolution established the modalities for the Conference, which will be hosted by the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe from 4 to 6 May 2028. It also provides for an action-oriented intergovernmental outcome document – the “Dushanbe Water Framework” – intended to contribute to the future architecture of international water cooperation beyond the conclusion of the Water Action Decade [13].

The significance of Tajikistan’s water diplomacy extends beyond the adoption of individual resolutions or the organization of international conferences. Over time, the country has helped maintain continuity in global political attention to freshwater issues and has contributed to the development of institutional mechanisms through which governments and other stakeholders can discuss shared water challenges and coordinate practical action.

For Tajikistan itself, this international engagement has particular relevance. As a mountainous country possessing substantial freshwater and glacier resources, but also highly exposed to climate change and glacier retreat, the relationship between water, energy, agriculture and environmental security is of direct national importance. International water diplomacy has therefore enabled Tajikistan to connect its own development challenges with broader global concerns.

The evolution of this agenda demonstrates how a geographically small state can develop a specialized field of international diplomacy and exercise influence through sustained multilateral initiatives. From the International Year of Freshwater to the Water Action Decade, the UN 2023 Water Conference and the continuing Dushanbe Water Process, Tajikistan has established a recognizable role in shaping international dialogue on one of the fundamental resources of sustainable development.

33. Global Initiative for Glaciers’ Preservation and Cryosphere Protection

The preservation of glaciers has emerged as a distinctive extension of Tajikistan’s international water and climate diplomacy. For Tajikistan, this issue has direct national and regional significance: glaciers constitute a critical component of the country’s freshwater system and contribute substantially to the water resources of Central Asia. At the same time, accelerated glacier retreat has transformed the problem from a primarily regional environmental concern into an issue with global implications for water security, ecosystems, and disaster risk and climate resilience.

Tajikistan succeeded in bringing this challenge to the center of the United Nations agenda. On 14 December 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/77/158, which declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and proclaimed 21 March of every year as the World Day for Glaciers, beginning in 2025. The resolution also welcomed Tajikistan’s proposal to host an international conference dedicated to glacier preservation [9].

The importance of this initiative became particularly evident as scientific evidence of glacier loss continued to accumulate. United Nations assessments indicate that more than 1,000 glaciers in Tajikistan have disappeared in recent decades, highlighting the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems and the potential consequences for water availability, agriculture, hydropower and communities dependent on glacier-fed river systems.

A major milestone was reached from 29 to 31 May 2025, when Dushanbe hosted the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation. The high-level segment brought together more than 2,500 experts and representatives from approximately 80 countries, including government delegations, international organizations, research institutions and development partners.

The Conference created a global platform for linking glacier preservation with climate policy, water management, scientific monitoring, disaster-risk reduction and sustainable development. Its outcome included the Dushanbe Glaciers Declaration, which was adopted by acclamation and reflected a shared commitment to strengthen international cooperation, scientific knowledge and practical responses to glacier retreat.

Tajikistan’s glacier diplomacy has also contributed to a broader scientific agenda. In August 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/321, proclaiming 2025-2034 the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences. The Decade is intended to strengthen international scientific cooperation, monitoring and research on glaciers, snow, ice and other components of the cryosphere, while improving understanding of their relationship with climate change and sustainable development.

The significance of these initiatives lies in their ability to connect scientific evidence with international political action. Glacier retreat affects not only mountain environments but also downstream water supplies, energy systems, agriculture, biodiversity and disaster risks. By consistently promoting this issue within the United Nations, Tajikistan has helped elevate cryosphere protection from a specialized environmental concern to a broader element of global climate and water governance.

From the perspective of the independence period, this initiative also demonstrates the evolution of Tajikistan’s diplomatic role. A challenge arising directly from the country’s geography and vulnerability to climate change has been transformed into a platform for international cooperation involving governments, scientists, international institutions and civil society.

Thus, Tajikistan’s glacier-preservation initiative represents an important contribution to contemporary environmental diplomacy. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, the annual World Day for Glaciers, the Dushanbe High-Level Conference and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences together form an expanding international framework for protecting one of the planet’s most vulnerable and strategically important natural systems.

34. Historic Settlement of Tajik-Kyrgyz Border Issues and Strengthening Regional Good-Neighbourliness

The settlement of long-standing border issues with the Kyrgyz Republic in 2025 became one of the most consequential developments in Tajikistan’s recent regional relations. Border questions had affected transport links, cross-border interaction and the security environment for many years, particularly in communities located along the Tajik-Kyrgyz frontier.

On 13 March 2025, the Presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed the Treaty between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic on the State Border, together with a Joint Statement on the further strengthening of friendship and good-neighbourliness. The agreement created a new legal and political basis for stable bilateral relations and was accompanied by the reopening of border checkpoints and steps towards restoring transport connections.

The process advanced further on 31 March 2025 with the exchange of instruments of ratification of the border treaty. The two sides also moved forward with agreements concerning access to water and energy facilities and the construction and use of cross-border roads, demonstrating that the settlement extended beyond delimitation itself towards practical cooperation in infrastructure and shared resources.

On the same day, the Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed the Treaty on the Junction Point of the State Borders of the three countries and adopted the Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship. These documents gave the settlement a wider regional dimension by reinforcing principles of good-neighbourliness, mutual respect and cooperation among the three Central Asian states [2].

The significance of these developments lies in their potential to transform border areas from zones of recurring tension into spaces of communication and economic interaction. More stable borders can facilitate trade, mobility, infrastructure cooperation and people-to-people contacts while reducing risks for communities living in frontier regions.

From the perspective of the 35 years of independence, the 2025 agreements represent an important example of resolving a complex interstate issue through negotiation and political dialogue. They strengthened the legal foundations of Tajikistan’s borders while opening additional opportunities for regional stability, connectivity and constructive cooperation in Central Asia.

35. Strengthening Tajikistan’s International Standing and Constructive Diplomacy

The evolution of Tajikistan’s international position represents one of the most comprehensive outcomes of the independence period. In the early 1990s, the newly sovereign state faced the immediate task of securing international recognition, establishing diplomatic relations and creating institutions capable of representing national interests abroad. Over the following three and a half decades, this initial process of diplomatic formation developed into a broader and increasingly diversified foreign-policy system.

Official materials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that Tajikistan is recognized by 192 states and has established diplomatic relations with 183 countries. The country has also become an active participant in major international and regional organizations and is a party to more than 170 international conventions. This expanding diplomatic network has provided the institutional basis for political dialogue, economic cooperation, security partnerships, cultural exchange and participation in multilateral decision-making.

Tajikistan’s diplomacy has gradually developed beyond conventional bilateral relations. The country participates actively in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and other multilateral structures. Through these platforms, Tajikistan engages with questions ranging from regional security and economic connectivity to climate change, sustainable development and technological cooperation.

A particularly important feature of this transformation has been the emergence of fields in which Tajikistan seeks not only to participate in multilateral discussions but also to formulate proposals and convene international cooperation. The sustained development of water diplomacy provides the clearest long-term example of this transition from diplomatic participation towards diplomatic initiative.

This capacity has subsequently broadened into environmental, technological and regional agendas. The adoption of United Nations resolutions advanced by Tajikistan and the conclusion of major regional agreements demonstrate an increasing ability to translate national and regional priorities into wider frameworks for international cooperation.

The development of this international role is particularly significant when viewed against the circumstances of the early independence period. Tajikistan moved from a stage in which foreign policy was primarily concerned with establishing sovereignty, securing recognition and overcoming the consequences of domestic instability towards a stage characterized by more proactive participation in multilateral diplomacy and the formulation of international initiatives.

This evolution also reflects a broader diversification of national interests. Contemporary Tajik diplomacy encompasses peace and security, regional stability, trade and investment, transport connectivity, water resources, climate change, glacier preservation, cultural cooperation, tourism, sustainable development, science and emerging technologies. The widening scope of this agenda demonstrates the growing complexity of the country’s interaction with the international community.

Thus, the strengthening of Tajikistan’s international standing should be understood not merely in terms of the number of diplomatic relations established or international organizations joined. Its deeper significance lies in the transition from diplomatic recognition to diplomatic initiative — from participation in international institutions to the ability to place national and regional priorities on the global agenda [5].

From this perspective, the country’s contemporary international engagement constitutes a fitting culmination of the 35 years of independence. Tajikistan’s development from a newly independent state facing severe domestic challenges into a country capable of advancing initiatives adopted within the United Nations system reflects the consolidation of its sovereignty, the maturation of its foreign policy and the gradual strengthening of its role in international affairs.

Independence and Sustainable Development: From National Reconstruction to Global Initiatives. When considered collectively, the achievements examined above reveal not a linear sequence of isolated successes but a broader transformation of Tajikistan’s political, economic, social and international development model. For analytical purposes, the 35-year independence period may be divided into several interrelated stages, each characterized by a distinct set of priorities and institutional challenges.

The first stage was dominated by the establishment, preservation and consolidation of national statehood. During this period, the primary objectives were the affirmation of sovereignty, the formation of constitutional and legal institutions, the restoration of peace, the achievement of national reconciliation and the stabilization of the political environment. These processes created the institutional foundations upon which subsequent development became possible.

The second stage was increasingly associated with post-conflict reconstruction and the creation of basic physical and social infrastructure. Investment in roads, bridges, tunnels, energy facilities, schools, healthcare institutions and other essential systems helped reduce territorial isolation, improve access to public services and strengthen the material foundations of economic activity. Infrastructure development therefore served not only a technical function but also an important integrative role in connecting regions, communities and markets.

The third stage has been marked by a gradual transition from reconstruction towards modernization and structural transformation. Industrialization, entrepreneurship, agricultural modernization, healthcare and education, the advancement of women, science, digitalization, innovation, tourism, sport and renewable energy have assumed greater importance within national policy. At the same time, sustainable development has increasingly required attention to productivity, technological capacity, environmental responsibility and the more efficient use of natural and human resources.

An emerging fourth stage is characterized by the growing interaction between domestic development priorities, regional cooperation and Tajikistan’s international initiatives. The settlement of important border issues, water diplomacy, glacier preservation, climate resilience and, more recently, artificial intelligence demonstrate how national and regional challenges have increasingly been addressed through negotiation and broader multilateral frameworks. This development reflects a qualitative change in Tajikistan’s international role: the country is progressively moving from participation in international institutions towards the formulation of initiatives intended to influence wider cooperation.

The evolution of national development is also visible in Tajikistan’s cooperation with international organizations and development partners. Assessments of United Nations cooperation with the country increasingly emphasize interconnected priorities such as inclusive human development, sustainable and green economic growth, climate and environmental resilience, effective governance and the strengthening of institutional capacity. These areas correspond closely with the broader transformation identified throughout the 35 achievements examined in this study.

At the same time, the progress achieved over the independence period should not be interpreted as the completion of the development process. The next phase will require greater emphasis on productive employment, economic diversification, technological upgrading, higher labor productivity, stronger human capital, climate adaptation and continued improvement in the quality and accessibility of public services. Reducing territorial and social disparities and ensuring that economic growth produces wider and more sustainable improvements in living standards will also remain central policy challenges.

Sustainable development should therefore be understood as a continuing process of institutional adaptation and structural transformation rather than a fixed end point. The principal significance of Tajikistan’s 35-year trajectory lies in its movement from the urgent tasks of state preservation and post-conflict recovery towards increasingly complex objectives associated with modernization, innovation, resilience and international engagement. In this sense, the independence period demonstrates an evolution from state-building to sustainable development and from national reconstruction to participation in shaping global initiatives.

The 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan provides an important historical point from which to evaluate the scale and direction of the country’s transformation since 1991. Over three and a half decades, Tajikistan has passed through fundamentally different stages of development: the establishment of sovereign statehood, the restoration of peace and national unity, post-conflict reconstruction, institutional consolidation, infrastructure expansion, economic modernization and a gradual strengthening of its international role.

The analysis of 35 major achievements demonstrates that independence has functioned not simply as a political status, but as the institutional framework within which long-term national development became possible. The consolidation of constitutional governance, creation of national administrative and financial institutions, development of transport and energy infrastructure, reduction of poverty, expansion of education and science, industrialization, agricultural modernization, entrepreneurship and the preservation of cultural heritage together illustrate the multidimensional character of the transformation experienced by the country.

An equally important feature of this period has been the gradual broadening of Tajikistan’s development agenda. Priorities that initially centered on political stabilization and economic recovery have increasingly been complemented by questions of technological modernization, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, climate resilience, digital transformation, scientific development and innovation. This shift indicates that the country has moved beyond the immediate challenges of post-independence reconstruction towards more complex objectives associated with competitiveness, productivity and sustainable growth.

The evolution of Tajikistan’s international engagement provides another significant indicator of this transition. Initiatives concerning water cooperation, glacier preservation, cryosphere protection and artificial intelligence demonstrate the country’s growing capacity to connect national and regional challenges with wider global concerns. Particularly symbolic in this respect was the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly on 31 August 2026, immediately before the 35th anniversary of State Independence, of a Tajikistan-initiated resolution establishing the International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, to be observed annually from 2027.

This development illustrates a broader transformation in Tajikistan’s international position. A state that entered independence facing profound political, economic and social difficulties has gradually developed the institutional capacity not only to participate in international organizations but also to advance initiatives capable of receiving multilateral support. The trajectory of the independence period can therefore be characterized as a movement from state formation to sustainable development and from national reconstruction towards increasingly active participation in shaping the international agenda.

At the same time, the achievements of the past 35 years should be regarded as a foundation rather than an endpoint. The sustainability of future progress will depend on the country’s ability to generate productive employment, increase labor productivity, diversify domestic production, strengthen human capital, accelerate technological modernization and improve the efficiency of public institutions. Climate adaptation, rational management of water and energy resources, development of science and innovation, and improvement of the quality of education and healthcare will remain equally important.

The next stage of Tajikistan’s development will therefore require a qualitative transition from the expansion of infrastructure and productive capacity towards greater efficiency, technological sophistication and knowledge-based growth. Ensuring that the benefits of economic development are distributed more widely across regions and social groups will also be essential for maintaining social stability and improving living standards.

In this context, the 35th anniversary of State Independence represents both a historical milestone and a point of transition. It provides an opportunity to assess the achievements accumulated since 1991 while simultaneously defining the priorities of the coming decades. The experience of the independence period demonstrates that the long-term development of Tajikistan will increasingly depend on the interaction of sovereignty, human capital, innovation, sustainability, connectivity and effective international cooperation.

Thus, the principal outcome of the first 35 years of independence lies not only in the individual achievements recorded during this period, but in the formation of the political, institutional, economic and social foundations from which the country can pursue a new stage of national development. The challenge ahead is to transform these foundations into higher productivity, greater technological capacity, stronger competitiveness and sustained improvements in the quality of life, while preserving the stability, cultural identity and international engagement that have shaped Tajikistan’s development trajectory since independence.