Tajikistan Denounces “Torture” of Tajik Suspects in Moscow Attack, Urges Fair Trial
Tajikistan’s foreign minister has described the beating and abuse of several Tajik suspects in the mass killing of more than 140 people at a Russian concert hall as “torture” that is at odds with the need for a thorough investigation and a fair trial.
Foreign Minister, Sirojiddin Muhriddin also said that Tajik people had faced an “information campaign” of racism and xenophobia since the attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22. His comments were some of the strongest yet by Tajikistan’s Government, reflecting increased worry over the national image and the plight of many poor Tajik migrants in Russia ...
Britain’s Cameron to Central Asia: Work with Us
Britain’s foreign secretary is in Central Asia this week, seeking deeper ties with a part of the world seen as increasingly vital to international security, energy flows and efforts to combat climate change. The trip, which David Cameron described as overdue, followed criticism that Britain had neglected what the envoy’s...
Tajikistan Takes Steps to Punish Sorcerers and Fortune-Tellers
The authorities in Tajikistan plan to introduce punishment in the form of compulsory labor for up to six months for those involved in fortune-telling, sorcery, or witchcraft. "On the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan, inspection and preventive work is continuing to prevent violations related to non-compliance with the requirements...
Turkey Cancels Visa-Free Regime for Citizens of Tajikistan
From 20 April, citizens of Tajikistan will have to obtain a visa to travel to the Republic of Turkey. That's according to a decree signed by Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The reasons for this decision remain unclear, but it's noted that the visa regime is a temporary measure. Entry...
Central Asia Counts the Cost of Drug Trafficking
Speaking at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March, Zafar Samad - director of the Narcotics Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan - admitted that vast quantities of drugs are being smuggled to Europe and Russia through Tajikistan’s “northern route.” In other Central Asian...
Russian-Tajik Singer Upsets Some in Russia with Comments After Moscow Attack
A Tajikistan-born singer who performed for Russia at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest is under scrutiny in Russia for comments about the brutal treatment of several suspects after the mass killing at a Moscow music venue on March 22. Manizha Sangin has condemned the attack that killed 144 people and...
Tajik Migrants Facing Xenophobia in Russia After Moscow Terrorist Attack
After the detention of four Tajik nationals suspected of committing the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, migrants have faced a wave of hatred and aggression. In Blagoveshchensk, along the Amur River that borders China, unknown persons set fire to a market pavilion belonging to migrants. According...
Extremists See Some Central Asian Communities as Fertile Recruiting Ground
The deadly attack on the Moscow concert hall has focused attention on the large number of Central Asian migrants living – often in grim conditions - in Russia, as well as the possible vulnerability of some of them to recruitment by extremist groups. A Russian court on Sunday charged four...
Death Toll Rises to 137, as Russia Continues With Ukraine Narrative
On Monday, the Kremlin updated the death toll from Friday’s terror attack at the Crocus City Hall to 137, with another 182 confirmed injured. This came after the four suspects appeared in court, charged with committing a terrorist act. Russia’s former president and prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, spoke of imposing...
President Rahmon Meets with Pope Francis
23 hours ago
Central Asians Not Bananas About Bananas
2 days ago
Islamic Extremism in Central Asia: A Threat to Liberal Progress
Afghanistan earned its reputation as the “graveyard of empires” due to the significant toll exacted on foreign powers in their efforts to achieve military success in the country. This challenge was evident in the experiences of the British Empire, the Soviet Union, and, most recently, the United States. The persistent...
The Impact of the Narcotics Trade in Tajikistan
Tajikistan, a Central Asian country, finds itself at the center of a significant narcotics trade route. This landlocked nation borders Afghanistan, a country that as of 2020, accounted for over 80% of global opium production (source). This geographical positioning has led to a profound influence on Tajikistan's social, economic, and...
The Geopolitical Fallout of Taliban’s Takeover: Neighboring Countries and Their Responses
The swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban following the withdrawal of foreign forces (notably the United States) has created a complex geopolitical situation for neighboring countries. These nations had contemplated the prospect of a Taliban resurgence, but the sudden shift in power dynamics forced them to publicly acknowledge their...
The Threat of Taliban to Democracy in Tajikistan: An Intensifying Crisis
Tajikistan is in an increasingly precarious position due to the resurgent Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan. Unlike its regional counterparts, Tajikistan stands firm in its refusal to engage with the Taliban, highlighting its unique stance in the geopolitical landscape. The Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan has raised alarm bells in...
Central Asia’s Growing Economic and Strategic Importance Comes to Fore
The Central Asian region has experienced a tremendous economic transformation since the beginning of the century. Its aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) now totals $397 billion, growing 8.6-fold since the year 2000. Its share in global GDP in purchasing power parity (PPP) has also increased 1.8 times. The GDP per...
US Embassy Boosts Preservation of Tajikistan’s Ancient City
On April 26, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Manuel P. Micaller, Jr. attended the celebration of the restoration of the Silk Road’s ancient city of Panjakent. Located in Tajikistan’s Sughd region and dating back to the 5th century, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Financed by the U.S....
Central Asian Countries Set 2024 Quotas for Amu Darya, Syr Darya River Water Usage
Last week in Kazakhstan, delegates came together for the 87th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) of Central Asia, where they discussed the potential and limitations of regional water reservoirs ahead of the 2023-2024 agricultural growing season. According to the ICWC, some of the more pressing questions...
USAID Launches $18 Million Program to Boost Economic Growth in Tajikistan
On 18 April, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new initiative to support long-term economic opportunities in Tajikistan. Running for five years at a cost of $18 million, Employment and Enterprise Development Activity (EEDA) will partner local firms to improve productivity in the fields of textiles,...
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Sign Allied Relations Treaty
On April 18, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan met Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan in Dushanbe, where the two leaders signed a Treaty on Allied Relations between their countries. Referring to Tajikistan as Uzbekistan’s closest, most reliable, and time-tested strategic partner, Mirziyoyev announced, “The fraternal Uzbek and Tajik peoples are...
Air Travel Between Tajikistan and Russia Rebounding After Terrorist Attack
Passenger traffic on flights between Tajikistan and Russia decreased after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow on March 22, which Tajik members of the Islamic State (IS) are suspected of perpetrating. But the news site Avesta reports that the flow of passengers between the two countries is...
Migrant Laborers in Russia Deprived of Free Medical Care
Citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan working in Russia will not be able to count on free medical care until 2026 within the framework of compulsory medical insurance (CMI), according to a report by the Ministry of Health of Russia. Based on agreements with the republics, citizens can be employed only...
Robust Economic Growth in EDB Member States
The latest Macroeconomic Review for the EDB’s six member states — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan – was released by the Eurasian Development Bank on April 12th. Despite the challenging external economic environment, the report illustrates robust economic growth amongst all its members in January-February this year and...
ADB Forecasts Faltering Economic Growth
The People's Republic of China (PRC) will remain the engine of growth for the world economy, even despite some slowdown. That forecast has been made by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) specialists in their report, Asian Development Outlook. Inflation is expected to decline in 2024 and 2025 after the increase...
Tajikistan Takes Steps to Punish Sorcerers and Fortune-Tellers
The authorities in Tajikistan plan to introduce punishment in the form of compulsory labor for up to six months for those involved in fortune-telling, sorcery, or witchcraft. "On the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan, inspection and preventive work is continuing to prevent violations related to non-compliance with the requirements...
Tajikistan’s Rahmon Wants Government Staff to Speak Three Languages
Tajikistan's president Emomali Rahmon has instructed all government officials in the country to master two foreign languages at a high level within a year, according to a report by Turkmenportal. The Tajik head of state commented that knowledge of two foreign languages at the same level as Tajik is vital...
Tajikistan Intensifies Efforts to Train Locals for Work Abroad
Tajikistan is stepping up efforts to teach its citizens global job skills which will facilitate access to higher-paying trades and expand the range of migrant-labor opportunities. The state-administered Adult Education Center of Tajikistan offers training in more than 100 professions, with new specializations emerging every year. This year, the Asian...
Optimism Meets Reality at the B5+1 Forum in Almaty
The inaugural B5+1 Forum, a conference dedicated to strengthening business between the five Central Asian republics and the United States, came to a close today in Almaty after a second well received day of panel discussions. The B5+1 Forum was created by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), which...
High-Profile Speakers Open B5+1 Forum in Almaty
The ‘B5+1’ platform – a group of countries comprising the five Central Asian republics and the United States – took an important step forward today, with the launch of the inaugural B5+1 Forum in Almaty. Instrumental in the formation of the B5+1 group has been the Center for International Private...
CIPE’s Inaugural B5+1 Forum Opens in Almaty
In recent years the countries of Central Asia have taken more confident steps towards working with the United States and Europe, so that both local and international companies and agencies can capitalize on the region’s potential. Instrumental in this process has been the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), which...
Tajik Citizens Committed Terrorist Attacks in 10 Countries in the Past Three Years
In a speech to dignitaries and religious leaders on the eve of Ramadan, Tajikistan’s President Imamali Rahmon reported that over the past three years, 24 Tajikistani nationals had carried out terrorist attacks in 10 different countries. Referencing the fact that despite the country’s ban on 28 extremist and terrorist groups,...
The C5+1 Concept: The Idea Behind This Week’s B5+1 Forum in Almaty
Recognizing that the Central Asia region could benefit more from initiatives in global security, business and trade if its countries strengthened their cooperation in key areas, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) created the ‘C5+1’ platform last year for just this purpose. The Center’s 5+1 group features the governments...
US Embassy Boosts Preservation of Tajikistan’s Ancient City
On April 26, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Manuel P. Micaller, Jr. attended the celebration of the restoration of the Silk Road’s ancient city of Panjakent. Located in Tajikistan’s Sughd region and dating back to the 5th century, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Financed by the U.S....
President Rahmon Meets with Pope Francis
On April 26, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon paid an official visit to the Vatican and met with Pope Francis. According to the press office of the Holy See, during the meeting the good relationship between the Holy See and Tajikistan was emphasized, and mention was made of some...
Tajikistan and Italy Engage in Dialogue to Enhance Collaboration
On April 23, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni met in Rome to discuss expanding bilateral relations regarding political, economic, trade, cultural, humanitarian, and security issues. According to Tajikistan’s president’s press service, both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in...
Britain’s Cameron to Central Asia: Work with Us
Britain’s foreign secretary is in Central Asia this week, seeking deeper ties with a part of the world seen as increasingly vital to international security, energy flows and efforts to combat climate change. The trip, which David Cameron described as overdue, followed criticism that Britain had neglected what the envoy’s...
Central Asian Countries Set 2024 Quotas for Amu Darya, Syr Darya River Water Usage
Last week in Kazakhstan, delegates came together for the 87th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) of Central Asia, where they discussed the potential and limitations of regional water reservoirs ahead of the 2023-2024 agricultural growing season. According to the ICWC, some of the more pressing questions...
USAID Launches $18 Million Program to Boost Economic Growth in Tajikistan
On 18 April, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new initiative to support long-term economic opportunities in Tajikistan. Running for five years at a cost of $18 million, Employment and Enterprise Development Activity (EEDA) will partner local firms to improve productivity in the fields of textiles,...
CSTO Says It’s Satisfied With Negotiations on Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Demarcation
The Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CTSO), Imangali Tasmagambetov, said in an interview with Tajik media that Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are managing to peacefully resolve their border conflict. "The will of the political leadership of the two countries made it possible not only to start and successfully...
Air Travel Between Tajikistan and Russia Rebounding After Terrorist Attack
Passenger traffic on flights between Tajikistan and Russia decreased after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow on March 22, which Tajik members of the Islamic State (IS) are suspected of perpetrating. But the news site Avesta reports that the flow of passengers between the two countries is...
US Embassy Boosts Preservation of Tajikistan’s Ancient City
On April 26, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Manuel P. Micaller, Jr. attended the celebration of the restoration of the Silk Road’s ancient city of Panjakent. Located in Tajikistan’s Sughd region and dating back to the 5th century, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Financed by the U.S....
Turkey Cancels Visa-Free Regime for Citizens of Tajikistan
From 20 April, citizens of Tajikistan will have to obtain a visa to travel to the Republic of Turkey. That's according to a decree signed by Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The reasons for this decision remain unclear, but it's noted that the visa regime is a temporary measure. Entry...
Marginalized But Indispensable – What the Crocus City Hall Attack Means for Central Asian Migrants
As previously reported by TCA, in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow which left 144 dead and 551 injured, Central Asian migrants in Russia have been living in a climate of fear. “There is panic, many people want to leave...
Russian-Tajik Singer Upsets Some in Russia with Comments After Moscow Attack
A Tajikistan-born singer who performed for Russia at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest is under scrutiny in Russia for comments about the brutal treatment of several suspects after the mass killing at a Moscow music venue on March 22. Manizha Sangin has condemned the attack that killed 144 people and...
New Somon Air Flights from Dushanbe to Astana
On 2 April, Somon Air launched direct flights between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Direct flights between Astana and Dushanbe will now operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Praising the initiative, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport stated that the Astana-Dushanbe air route will have a significant impact on...
London University Installs Bust of Persian-Tajik Cultural Force Rudaki
A bust of Abu Abdullah Rudaki, the founder of Tajik-Persian literature, was installed last week at the University of London School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS). The bust is the latest initiative of the Tajik embassy in Great Britain. Tajikistan's ambassador Rukhshona Emomali was at SOAS for the presentation...
Artificial Intelligence in Central Asia: Applications and Regulation
The debate on the need for worldwide regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum, given that over the past year AI has become a key tool for millions of people. With a growing number of organizations applying AI in various fields, including medicine, politics and judicial decisions, the urgent...
U.S. Embassy Creates English Textbooks for Schools in Tajikistan
The US ambassador to Tajikistan, Manuel Micaller, and Tajikistan’s resident representative of the Aga Khan Development Network, Qozidavlat Qoimdodov, on February 15th joined the Tajik minister for science and education Saidzoda Rahim Hamro at a handover ceremony for 242,000 English language textbooks for secondary schools in Tajikistan. The three parties...
Tajik Islamic State Member Ilhomi Sayrahmanzoda Captured in Italy
Italian police have arrested a Tajik member of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, according to a report by the ANSA news agency. According to police in Rome, 32-year-old Ilhomi Sayrahmanzoda was arrested at the city's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport after arriving on a flight from the Dutch city of Eindhoven. He...
Central Asia Counts the Cost of Drug Trafficking
Speaking at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March, Zafar Samad - director of the Narcotics Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan - admitted that vast quantities of drugs are being smuggled to Europe and Russia through Tajikistan’s “northern route.” In other Central Asian...
Japan-Funded Project Helps Tajikistan Manage Its Border With Afghanistan
Japan has long been a "steadfast supporter of Tajikistan, contributing tens of millions of dollars to the country’s development through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)." The Japanese government, through its Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is also funding the “Border Management Project” – an initiative to support the Tajik...
The Impact of the Narcotics Trade in Tajikistan
Tajikistan, a Central Asian country, finds itself at the center of a significant narcotics trade route. This landlocked nation borders Afghanistan, a country that as of 2020, accounted for over 80% of global opium production (source). This geographical positioning has led to a profound influence on Tajikistan's social, economic, and...
The Geopolitical Fallout of Taliban’s Takeover: Neighboring Countries and Their Responses
The swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban following the withdrawal of foreign forces (notably the United States) has created a complex geopolitical situation for neighboring countries. These nations had contemplated the prospect of a Taliban resurgence, but the sudden shift in power dynamics forced them to publicly acknowledge their...
The Threat of Taliban to Democracy in Tajikistan: An Intensifying Crisis
Tajikistan is in an increasingly precarious position due to the resurgent Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan. Unlike its regional counterparts, Tajikistan stands firm in its refusal to engage with the Taliban, highlighting its unique stance in the geopolitical landscape. The Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan has raised alarm bells in...
Sentences Handed to Six Individuals in FSB Building Terror Plot Case
In a recent development concerning the case of plotting an explosion in the FSB building on Lubyanka, a Moscow court has handed down sentences ranging from 16 to 22 years in prison to five Tajiks and one Dagestani. The severity of the verdict echoes the gravity of their involvement in...
Son of Former Minister Faces 7-day Administrative Arrest Following Dushanbe Restaurant Altercation
A clash at the Bukhoro-Palace Restaurant in Dushanbe led to the detention of four individuals, including Alisher Gulov, the 25-year-old son of former Minister of Energy and Industry Sherali Gul, and Sherdil Sirojev, son of a prominent Tajik businessman linked to the Jal-Jam bazaar's demolition in 2019. The Dushanbe Police...
USAID Aids Access to Safe Drinking Water in Tajikistan
A new water supply system to provide safe drinking water for more than 3,000 people across 455 households has been inaugurated in the village of Rohati in Tajikistan’s Rudaki District. Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it is but one of the 12 communities now furnished...
EBRD Helps Increase Reliability of Tajikistan’s Electrical Grid
An announcement was made on February 28th that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to increase the reliability and sustainability of electricity supply in Tajikistan. The national transmission network operator Shabaqahoi Intiqoli Barq (SIB) will be awarded some €31 million, comprising two EBRD sovereign loans and an...
One Health Nature Conservation Project Launches in Central Asia
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its international partners have launched the One Health Central Asia project, aiming to mitigate the risk of zoonoses – diseases that are naturally transmissible from animals to humans – in Central Asia. The new initiative was announced on February 13th at...
Earthquakes Rekindle Fears Over Lake Sarez
On the evening of January 30th, an earthquake struck in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province on the border between Tajikistan and Xinjiang. Though this instance only had a magnitude of 4.4, it comes in the wake of the magnitude 7 quake which pounded the China-Kyrgyzstan border on January 23rd, shaking buildings...
Ambitious Program to Plant 65 Million Trees and Shrubs Launched
As part of the National Program, "Green Country," Tajikistan intends to plant 65 million trees and shrubs on an area spanning over 4,000 hectares by 2025. Special attention will be paid to the planting of fruit trees, rosehip and pine. This ambitious initiative is designed to improve the state of...
Tajikistan to Achieve Energy Independence and Become Green Country
In 2023, Tajikistan’s GDP increased by 8.3% compared to the previous year, and over the past seven years the country’s GDP has grown 1.5-fold while the national economy has developed at an average pace of 7.5%, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon stated addressing parliament on December 28th. The President...
Tajikistan: Atlas and Adras Weaving Included in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
A nomination from Tajikistan for the art of atlas and adras weaving was included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan reported. This decision was made within the framework of the 18th session of the Interstate Committee on...
CAREC Countries Endorse New Vision to Fight Climate Change Together
Member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program committed to working together to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change. “We endorse the Regional Action on Climate Change: A Vision for CAREC to help countries implement their commitments under the Paris Agreement”, said a...
