ADB Chairman and his peer from Tajikistan celebrate 25 years of partnership

The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masatsugu Asakawa, reaffirmed the Bank’s support for Tajikistan’s development priorities and discussed ways to further strengthen the 25-year partnership with the country in meetings with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon and senior government officials.

“Tajikistan and the ADB have developed a deep and trusting partnership, and we look forward to strengthening it for the benefit of the country’s people,” Asakawa said. “Tajikistan has a young population and if it continues to develop its human capital and skills, the private sector will flourish and create productive jobs.”

The ADB has been working with the government to develop its human capital, among other things by improving healthcare and job skills.

The bank is currently preparing a project, financed with technical assistance, to improve the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in secondary schools. This will equip young people, particularly women, with the necessary skills to get modern and decent jobs.

Asakawa also highlighted the importance of addressing climate change and private sector development for Tajikistan’s inclusive and sustainable growth.

“As the Asia-Pacific climate bank, we put climate action at the forefront of our work,” he said. “In Tajikistan, we prioritize resilient infrastructure and disaster risk reduction.”

ADB appoints new Country Director for the Philippines

In addition, he added that “we are pleased to support the nation with its Strategy for a Green Economy, which seeks to prioritize climate action in each sector of the Tajik economy. And we also help the government to improve food security, including through countercyclical budget support, irrigation and agricultural development.”

During his three-day visit, President Asakawa will visit ADB-funded energy and transportation projects. He will also inaugurate a solar-powered pumped water supply system in Rudaki district, built with an ADB grant to improve villagers’ access to clean water, saving women time and labor.

Tajikistan joined the ADB in 1998. For 25 years, the ADB has supported various sectors, from strategic road and energy infrastructure to health, capacity building, food security and finance, totaling $2.5 billion in aid.

The ADB Tajikistan Partnership Strategy for 2021-2025 has three strategic priorities: structural reforms to improve resource allocation and mobilization, improve labor productivity through human capital development, and foster better livelihoods by investing in the economy linked to the earth.

Regional cooperation and integration initiatives under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program remain a key part of ADB’s operations in Tajikistan.