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11 October 2024
International Day of the Girl Child: UN Resident Coordinator's video statement
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Press Release
08 October 2024
Building partnerships for sustainable results and development
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Press Release
04 October 2024
Enhancing risk knowledge for stronger early warning systems in Tajikistan
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Tajikistan
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Tajikistan:
Press Release
29 August 2023
UN Secretary-General’s "Early Warnings for All" Initiative launched in Tajikistan
The national consultation was co-chaired by the Deputy Prime-Minister of Tajikistan and the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan with active involvement of the lead agencies of four pillars of the Early Warnings for All Initiative.
Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Mr. Sulaimon Ziyozoda, inaugurated the event, highlighting its significance by stating that the Republic of Tajikistan attaches importance to climate change, disaster risk reduction and supports the call of the United Nations Secretary-General to protect everyone with early warning systems. He also noted: “Coordination of activities of different sectors and stakeholders, involvement of communities at risk, availability of favorable institutional and legislative environment, clear distribution of roles and responsibilities - all these are necessary to create effective and consistent early warning systems”.
UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami said the launch of the Early Warnings for All initiative is “a crucial step forward in safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Tajik communities from the impacts of climate change and other risks”, adding that “a whole-of-society approach involving all stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, will be critical for strengthening and sustaining the early warning services in the country”.
The representatives from relevant ministries, government agencies and development partners presented current advancements in implementing early warning systems in Tajikistan. They collectively identified challenges and prioritized strategies to expand the coverage, integration, and effectiveness of EWS.
The participants also engaged into technical discussions, mapping and a comprehensive gap analysis exercise, drawing from prior assessments, to identify the critical gaps and priority needs for support across the four pillars, agreeing a coordination mechanism and development of an action plan in the initiative’s implementation.
Tajikistan is faced with the frequent occurrence of natural hazards, such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, mudflows, and landslides, with climate change further exacerbating their impacts. The Early Warnings for All initiative will build improved resilience to such risks in Tajikistan, with support provided across four interconnected pillars of EW4All: disaster risk knowledge; detection, observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting; warning dissemination and communication; and preparedness and response capabilities.
Globally one third of citizens are still not covered by early warning systems. EW4All Action Plan was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in Egypt in November 2022 for further investment across knowledge, observations and forecasting, preparedness and response, and communication of early warnings, with particularly priority placed on vulnerable communities.disaster risk
The Early Warnings for All Initiative calls for a global effort to ensure that such systems protect everyone on Earth by 2027. Early Warning Systems, supported by preparedness and early action, are a proven, effective, and feasible disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measure, that save lives and provide a tenfold return on investment. Yet, major gaps in early warning systems remain globally, especially when it comes to translating early warnings into risk-informed early action.
Lead agencies of four pillars of the Early Warnings for All Initiative:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
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Press Release
07 July 2023
Interview with Dr Markus Schefer, member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Dr Schefer was invited to the country by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan within the framework of the global campaign to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
UN RCO: Dr Schefer, could you please tell us about yourself and the goal of your visit to Tajikistan?
Dr Schefer: I am a member of the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a professor of constitutional and administrative law at the University of Basel, Switzerland. This Committee consists of 18 independent experts from all over the world. We are elected by the State parties for four-year-terms. As independent experts, we do not represent the views of our home countries. We meet twice a year for a time between 3 and 5 weeks. Our main obligation is to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the member states.
UN RCO: Please tell us more about the status of ratification of the Convention globally and the work of the Committee.
Dr Schefer: Today, 187 countries out of 193 UN member states have ratified the Convention; there are only a handful of countries that have not. Kazakhstan ratified it in 2015, and Uzbekistan in 2021. I have visited both countries and I was Rapporteur for Kazakhstan in the review process. In our work, we notice that it is crucially important that countries start a process toward implementation of the Convention, at whatever level they are. In this process, it is equally important to closely consult with organizations of persons with disabilities. They are in a position to identify where the most pressing issues are and what possible remedies may be.
UN RCO: How many persons with disabilities live in the world and how effective are countries in addressing their needs and guaranteeing their rights?
Dr Schefer: In general, we can assume that about 20% of any given population has a disability. For many, this is a surprisingly high number. We are surprised, because we usually do not meet many persons with disabilities in public spaces, be it in the streets, in schools, at work or in recreational activities. The main reason is that many persons with disabilities cannot participate, be it for lack of accessibility, lack of education, non-inclusion in the workplace or particular obstacles for political participation. This is what the CRPD is designed to remedy.
UN RCO: In your opinion, when Tajikistan will be ready to ratify the Convention?
Dr Schefer: Today, Tajikistan is ready for ratification. It is intensively working on many projects designed to implement the rights of persons with disabilities. Ratification would add crucial support to these efforts. Particularly the State party review process, in which our Committee issues recommendations to the State, provides guidance for further measures by the State. There is no threshold of implementation that would have to be achieved before ratification. The sooner a country ratifies the Convention, the clearer the path for the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities becomes.
UN RCO: What are other important things a country needs to keep in mind to proceed with the ratification process?
Dr Schefer: All across the world, I hear the argument that tight finances do not allow to take substantial steps toward implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities. This view overlooks the fact that there are many measures a State party needs to take that do not involve large expenditures. Walking around Dushanbe, I see a great many new buildings, including high-rises, being erected. If the proper accessibility standards are considered from the beginning of the planning process, rendering new buildings accessible will come at very little extra cost. This is a chance for Tajikistan; it allows the country to utilize its rapid economic development to substantially further the rights of persons with disabilities.
I have also met many people who think that the Convention is solely about services for persons with disabilities. To be sure, it does contain many rights to services. But it is not confined to these rights. It also guarantees civil and political rights, such as the right to participate in political and public life, or the right to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment. Particularly political participation of persons with disabilities is of central importance for the peaceful development of any political system, as they represent a very large minority of about 20% of the population.
UN RCO: What is the experience of countries which ratified the Convention most recently? Which challenges they experience?
Dr Schefer: Implementing the Convention not only requires to change the laws and to implement them properly. It also requires, on a much more fundamental level, that society’s attitudes towards persons with disabilities change. That an impairment of a person is not seen as a medical aberration that renders the person less valuable, but that impairments are but one aspect of the great diversity of human beings. And that we value and cherish this diversity, as we do it in many other societal sectors. Such change takes time, and it does not occur on its own volition. Every single State party in whose review I have participated is confronted with many challenges, irrespective of its economic or political power.
UN RCO: What would be your advice to the Government of Tajikistan in terms of the timing for ratification of the Convention?
Dr Schefer: With all appropriate deference and humility, I would suggest that Tajikistan is ready for ratification. There is no need to wait, and there are no advantages of postponing ratification. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN will host a high-level event with participation of the Heads of States and Governments on 11-12 December in Geneva, Switzerland. This will be an opportunity for UN Member States to submit their pledges on transformative changes and progress in the cause of human rights. In this context, I would urge the Government of Tajikistan to submit a pledge on ratification of the CRPD as this is one of the two core human rights Conventions not ratified by the country yet.
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Press Release
19 May 2023
Tajikistan experience presented in the High-Level Meeting on the Mid-term Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
President of the General Assembly Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, Deputy Secretary-General H.E. Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Ms. Mami Mizutori and Türkiye Earthquake Survivor Mr. Mustafa Kemal Kilinç addressed the opening of the event. During the meeting, the participants exchanged their views on the achievements in the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Sendai Framework, as well as the difficulties and gaps towards its implementation.
The Republic of Tajikistan was represented by the Chairman of the Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan Mr.Bahodur Sheralizoda. He highlighted the importance of the implementation of the Sendai Framework in achieving the sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030 and informed about the measures taken by the country in the implementation of the Sendai Framework, including the adoption of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and its Midterm Program.
Mr. Bahodur Sheralizoda also presented country’s experience and achievements on disaster risk reduction, mentioned priorities to be addressed and called on the international community and partners to enhance cooperation in this area.
The high-level meeting provides a platform for Member States, the United Nations system partners and other stakeholders to reflect on the findings and recommendations of the MTR SF and formulate a forward-looking and risk-informed approach to more effectively address systemic risk. The meeting will adopt a political declaration to renew commitment and accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework up to 2030.
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Story
04 October 2024
Looking back at 18 years of operational successes: CARICC Council meets in Ashgabat
In the face of growing threats posed by drug trafficking and related organized crime, the countries of Central Asia, with support from UNODC, came together in 2006 to form the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) as a platform for regional counter-narcotics collaboration. Today, CARICC comprises seven member states, 18 observer states, and three international organizations with observer status: Interpol, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC).CARICC assists member states in joint operations by facilitating real-time information exchange and overcoming bureaucratic barriers. It also conducts a strategic analysis of the drug situation to identify areas requiring coordinated action. The Centre maintains a centralized database tracking drug trafficking trends to enable proactive operational planning. Furthermore, CARICC offers training and capacity-building programmes for law enforcement agencies, enhancing their capabilities to fight drug trafficking.Over the years, CARICC has developed expertise in controlled delivery operations and shares this knowledge with partners. The Centre’s international status and its liaison officers have facilitated the establishment of networks with international organizations and beyond its member states, enhancing the effectiveness of its operations.The Centre leads several long-term initiatives, including Operation REFLEX, targeting new psychoactive substances, and Operation SUBSTITUTE, aimed at preventing the diversion of controlled chemicals to illicit trafficking. It also engages in short-term operations focused on specific drug-related crimes, leading to significant drug seizures and legal actions against traffickers.CARICC’s impact on countering drug trafficking is significant: since its inception, it has contributed to 85 international counter-narcotics operations, resulting in the seizure of over 7.5 tons of narcotic drugs, more than 62 tons of precursors, and the arrest of 122 members of drug trafficking networks. On 12 September 2024, at the invitation of Turkmenistan, the Council of National Coordinators of CARICC Member States came together in Ashgabat to take stock of CARICC’s activities and give strategic direction for the future. Participants also discussed the rapidly evolving drug situation in Central Asia following the opium cultivation ban issued by the de facto authority in Afghanistan. Of particular concern was the spread of synthetic drugs, as well as the multiple indications of an emerging production of new psychoactive substances in several countries of the region. “Illegal drug trafficking, a persistent threat to humanity in the 21st century, is further exacerbated by the growing spread of new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs. Urgent and comprehensive action is needed to address this crisis. It is essential to highlight our collective commitment through our ongoing collaboration with CARICC. We are continually strengthening this partnership by expanding the Centre’s reach and enhancing its role,” stated Yazguly Agabaev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan.“The evolving drug situation in the CARICC member states demands coordinated and targeted measures to suppress drug smuggling. A joint action plan is needed to investigate major drug seizures and develop effective responses,” said Atageldi Yazlyev, Director of CARICC. Dr. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Regional Representative for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan, noted: “CARICC has made significant steps in enhancing regional cooperation and operational effectiveness. It is imperative that we sustain and build upon these achievements to address the dynamic challenges of drug trafficking in the region. Maintaining CARICC’s strategic priorities and operational capacity is essential for continuing our progress in this critical area.” For more insights into CARICC’s work, watch: CARICC: 18 years of operational successes in countering illicit drug traffickingCARICC capacity-building programmes: Open-source intelligence regional training course For further information, please contact:Nurangez AbdulhamidovaCommunications and External Relations SpecialistUNODC Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org
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Story
13 May 2024
“We haven’t had any sepsis cases in months,” reports a maternity hospital in Tajikistan
“Some of my colleagues are a bit confused,” confesses Dr Rosa Nodirshoeva, who is known here simply as Dr Rosa. “We have not had any cases of sepsis for a few months now. They find this unusual,” she adds, smiling at her collaborator, Dr Joyrine Biromumaiso, before declaring, “but you and I, we know the reason.”Dr Rosa shifts comfortably in her chair. She has an air of authority about her. This suits her position as a senior doctor at the large Maternity Hospital Number 1 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Dr Rosa has worked at the health facility for over 30 years and knows it like the back of her hand.She works closely with Dr Joyrine, an expert on infection prevention and control based at the WHO Country Office in Tajikistan. Today they are discussing how much has changed since the start of their close collaboration, just over 3 years ago. Preventing health care-associated infections“Infection prevention and control training have changed the way we work,” Dr Rosa declares. “Before, nurses with years of experience could accidentally infect a patient while performing even the simplest procedures, such as inserting a catheter, because they simply weren’t aware of the right measures and techniques to prevent health care-associated infections. They had not been taught well.”Dr Rosa explains that the facility had been working on improving infection prevention and control for decades. However, since working with Dr Joyrine, they have been able to strengthen their capacity dramatically and accelerate progress.She gives examples of improvements made at the facility, adding that staff now pay close attention to infection prevention and control measures, and understand how important this is to provide safe, quality care.“Our staff apply the 5 moments of hand hygiene and have become much more diligent in how we clean the facility. My colleagues know how to properly dispose of used syringes, masks and other medical waste. Our facility has clearly articulated the need for disinfectants and other health products used for protection. We now have devices with disinfectant solutions throughout the facility. Patients want to receive quality care and all these changes help us to keep them, and our health workers, safe from health care-associated infections.”Dr Rosa notes that a simple reminder is sometimes enough to prevent a tragedy, and that patients themselves have become more aware of their own health. “They may come in for a treatment, but if they see that the doctor has not cleaned his hands, they speak up.” Fewer infection casesAt the end of the corridor, the discomfort of a mother-to-be can be heard. Almost 1000 babies per month are born in this facility. One in every 5 babies is delivered through a caesarean section, as the facility receives women with complications from all regions of the country.Before, at least 2 or 3 cases of septic complications were registered in the maternity hospital every month, but this situation has changed in recent years. The facility has also seen a dramatic reduction in other infections, including hepatitis B among health workers. The improvements made in infection prevent and control have been key to this success.Dr Joyrine is proud of the achievements of Dr Rosa and her staff. She herself knows how proper infection prevention and control practices save lives. She was in western Africa at the height of the Ebola crisis, which killed over 11 000 people. As a frontline worker, she trained health workers to provide safe treatment and to protect themselves from the virus, but it killed many of her colleagues.After this terrible experience, Dr Joyrine is one of the biggest advocates for implementation of infection prevention and control programmes in health-care facilities. “In Tajikistan, I often talk about my experiences in western Africa and East Africa and about what I have seen in the field.”She explains that the topic of cultural norms often comes up. “By having an open conversation about cultural practices and traditions – for example, those related to burial rites – the Tajik health-care workers start to understand how infections can spread. They are keen to learn about WHO’s guidance and to implement the practices and techniques which we recommend. This is why we see such improvements.”Since Dr Joyrine started working in Tajikistan, much has changed. With technical support from WHO, the country developed new national guidelines on infection prevention and control in 2022. Financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been crucial in developing further guidance for health workers on how to put these measures into practice. “Infection prevention and control are everything”Over the past few years, based on the WHO guidelines on infection prevention and control and in collaboration with other organizations, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over 8000 health workers across the country have been trained in infection prevention and control. Quality training and communication materials have been developed in national languages.Many partners are supporting Tajikistan to ensure access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services, as well as essential materials and equipment for infection prevention and control, to deliver safe care.The hard work continues. Many facilities in the country are still not following proper infection prevention and control practices, and many more health workers require training. Furthermore, the lack of access to safe, running water in health facilities, and the lack of availability of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and alcohol-based hand rub, pose major barriers to implementing infection prevention and control measures.With support from USAID, Dr Joyrine will train a monitoring and evaluation team that will be instrumental in keeping track of the progress made in health facilities in all districts of Tajikistan. Key next steps for the country also include ensuring that courses on infection prevention and control are incorporated into all medical curricula and offered to health workers in facilities systematically.The establishment of a new cadre of health workers, fully dedicated to guiding and monitoring the proper implementation of infection prevention and control practices in health facilities, is a key WHO recommendation.A cleaner passes the room that Dr Rosa and Dr Joyrine are sitting in. Dr Rosa adjusts her glasses and declares, “Infection prevention and control are everything. If you don't know how to prevent infections, you cannot work in a health-care institution.”
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Story
26 April 2024
Enhanced collaboration across borders leads to the interception of narcotics by customs and border officers stationed at the UNODC-supported Border Liaison Offices
Regional cooperation among law enforcement agencies is pivotal in combating transnational organized crime, particularly illicit drug trafficking. The UNODC facilitates member countries in establishing a regional platform to collectively address the challenges posed by drug trafficking. A central component of this effort is the promotion of cross-border cooperation through the Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) network to tackle transnational threats and organized crime effectively.These offices play a pivotal role in identifying and halting various smuggling activities, including narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals, all while facilitating lawful international trade.On 7 March 2024, customs and border officers from the UNODC-supported BLO stationed at the Oybek border crossing point in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, in coordination with their counterparts from the BLO at the Fotehobod border crossing point in Tajikistan, thwarted an attempt to smuggle two kilograms of hashish. During the inspection of a cargo van, officers discovered two plastic bags attached to the trailer with magnets, containing a total of 1,981 grams of hashish. The BLOs at the Oybek and Fotehobod border crossing points are two of 24 such offices strategically positioned at key border checkpoints across Central Asia. These offices have been established under the Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022 - 2025.This pioneering project, supported by the Government of Japan, strives to establish BLOs across Central Asia, with stakeholder involvement from the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Border Troops, Customs Services, and Drug Control Agencies of each participating country. Its overarching goal is to bolster the capabilities of BLO officers representing various law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organized crime through comprehensive training programmes and the provision of state-of-the-art equipment.Such collaborative efforts highlight a shared commitment to preventing and countering transnational organized crime, making the borders in Central Asia safer and more secure.
*The photos are taken from kun.uzRead more about the projectFor further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communications and External Relations Specialist
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org
*The photos are taken from kun.uzRead more about the projectFor further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communications and External Relations Specialist
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org
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Story
12 December 2023
UNODC-supported Border Liaison Office in Tajikistan intercepts shipment of around 72 kilograms of heroin
Interagency cooperation, intelligence-sharing and information exchange among law enforcement agencies in Central Asian countries play a key role in fighting against drug trafficking. UNODC has been concentrating its efforts on supporting the vulnerable border areas by strengthening the border crossing points and establishing working intelligence-sharing and enhanced cross-border communication mechanisms allowing detection and interception of contraband, including narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
On 21 November 2023, officers stationed at the UNODC-supported Border Liaison Office (BLO) at the Fotehobod border crossing point located in the Sughd region of Tajikistan intercepted a large shipment of narcotic drugs.
During the inspection of a motor truck that arrived at the border crossing point, the BLO officers found 65 black polyethylene wrappages containing 71 kg and 110 grams of heroin.
In recognition of the invaluable support of the UNODC in the prevention of illicit drug trafficking, Lieutenant General Khurshed Karimzoda, Head of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, sent a letter of appreciation to Yusuf Kurbonov, International Programme Coordinator, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA). Lieutenant General Karimzoda expressed his agency’s gratitude to UNODC ROCA for its continued support in the provision of technical equipment and the professional development of the officers.
“Thanks to cooperation with UNODC, customs officers have been provided with unique opportunities to attend various training courses and workshops specifically designed to effectively combat and prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs as well as other smuggled goods.
The knowledge, skills, and new technologies provided have significantly strengthened the capacity of officers to prevent illegal activities at the state border. Through cooperation with UNODC, the Customs Service continues to enhance the officers’ capacities and maintain their high professionalism in combating illicit drug trafficking.
We look forward to further cooperation with UNODC in our joint fight against organized crime and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs. Joint efforts and cooperation are not only key to our continued success but also a prerequisite for achieving our common goals of ensuring security and sustainable development,” noted Lieutenant General Khurshed Karimzoda in the letter.
BLO at the Fotehobod BCP is one of 24 BLOs in the Central Asian region established at the key border crossing points under the Regional Project on Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation by Strengthening the Capacity of Border Liaison Offices in Central Asia of Sub-programme 1 Preventing and Countering Transnational Organized Crime of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025.
It is the first project to establish BLOs in Central Asia, and its stakeholders are the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Border Troops, Customs and Drug Control Agencies of each country.
The project strengthens the capacities of officers working at the BLOs representing all law enforcement agencies in countering transnational organized crime, including through various training programmes and the provision of cutting-edge equipment.
The project is funded by the Government of Japan.
The implementation of the project in Turkmenistan is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
*The photos are taken from the website of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
For further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communications and External Relations Specialist
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org
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25 October 2023
Tajikistan is reforming Primary Health Care to reach Universal Health Coverage
Tajikistan is transforming its health system to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). For the last two decades, the country has been undertaking significant reforms to shift towards a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach with a strong family medicine focus conducive to strengthening the health system to attain its objectives of 'health for all'.
Putting PHC at the centre
Tajikistan's transition from a highly centralized healthcare system to PHC began with legal reforms to establish new financing mechanisms to increase health spending and improve financial protection for the population. The Tajikistan government has, as a result, progressively increased funding for primary care services, resulting in higher government health spending and an overall increase in public health spending as a percentage of GDP.1Health financing reforms are underway to provide a more comprehensive and unified approach to healthcare financing, fostering a move from input-based resource allocations to strategic purchasing of primary healthcare services. Progressively increasing public resources available for PHC is pivotal to improving communities’ access to essential healthcare services.
Improving the demand for and access to primary care services is another crucial aspect of Tajikistan's transition. The country is shifting from a system heavily reliant on hospital-based secondary and tertiary care towards primary care and public health, increasing the portion of their public health budget allocated to PHC, rising from 34.6% in 2010 to 40.7% in 2022.1 As a result, the number of PHC visits per person has been rising steadily from 4.8 in 2010 to 7.6 in 2022.2 To further improve access to essential health services, especially to the poorest and most vulnerable households, Tajikistan is also revising the Basic Benefit Package (BBP), using a phased implementation starting with priority groups alongside additional co-payment arrangements. As of 2021, the BBP covers 33.1% of the Tajikistan population,2 with ongoing efforts to expand coverage and harmonise different co-payment and fee-for-service arrangements to reduce financial barriers to healthcare.
Tajikistan has also made strategic investments to improve the organisation and strengthen the quality of primary care services. These investments are aimed at reducing the fragmentation of services by incorporating established vertical health services under a unified PHC structure within the framework set by the National PHC Development Master Plan. Medical and nursing education changes have been implemented to bridge human resource gaps in family medicine doctors (FMDs) and nurses (FMNs) to provide essential primary care services. The proportion of primary healthcare institutions practising family medicine principles has increased from 56% in 2010 to 88% in 2022. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of doctors who have had family medicine training increased from 271 (4.4%) to 4597 (82.3%), with the number of nurses also increasing from 327 (3%) to 9669 (73.4%).1
Accelerating progress through collaboration
Collaboration has been crucial in supporting Tajikistan’s PHC reforms. In 2019, Tajikistan joined the SDG3 Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3 GAP) as a pilot country, focusing on PHC and sustainable health financing to accelerate progress to achieve the health-related SDGs. The collaboration involves 13 humanitarian, development, and health agencies. These agencies and other partners, among them USAID, have increasingly supported Tajikistan through collaborative approaches that leverage their respective strengths and expertise.
The main partner coordination platform is the Development Coordination Council (DCC) health. It fosters dialogue, coordination and joint implementation between partners and Tajikistan's government agencies. It also facilitates information exchange, agreements on collective outcomes and coordination, in alignment with Tajikistan's National Health Strategy 2021-2030. Under its auspices, opportunities for joint advocacy and the development of a common vision, exemplified by a joint position statement on strengthening PHC in 2022, are made possible. The statement was endorsed by all key development partners and signed personally by the Minister of Health of Tajikistan. In September 2023, the Head of the Department of Health Reforms and International Relations at the Ministry of Health presented the key priorities for improving PHC to SDG3 GAP focal points through the PHC Accelerator (PHC-A) working group. The dialogue identified areas to strengthen PHC, such as revising regulatory documents, enhancing management skills, implementing a Districts of Excellence PHC model, and modernizing emergency medical services.
To date, partners from various sectors have joined forces to implement Tajikistan's National Health Strategy 2021-2030. This collaborative effort involves shared funding and initiatives towards PHC reforms. Notably, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, in conjunction with the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF), have taken a lead role in developing a Prioritized Investment Plan (PIP). This plan, created in close cooperation with all partners, serves as a roadmap for implementing the 2030 National Health Strategy. Within the PIP, clear details regarding the costs of priority activities and investments have been outlined for the next three years, allowing development partners to align their programs and investments in the healthcare sector. Simultaneously, the World Bank and the GFF are actively supporting a government investment plan, spearheaded by Tajikistan's Ministries of Finance and Health. This investment plan places a significant emphasis on strengthening PHC and aims to contribute to the objectives set forth in Tajikistan's National Health Strategy 2021-2030.
Collaboration extends to the joint implementation of PHC reforms as well. For instance, the European Union (EU)-funded Health Development Program, implemented by WHO, UNICEF, and GIZ, is strengthening health-sector governance, financing, and access to quality integrated primary care services. WHO, the GFF and the World Bank work closely together to support the Government in implementing critical health financing and service delivery reforms to improve the efficiency of PHC. WHO is supporting the piloting of strategic purchasing of PHC services, while the World Bank’s new Project, the Tajikistan Millati Solim Project, will scale up these reforms. Further instances of collaborative efforts include UNICEF’s partnership with the Asian Development Bank for the Maternal and Child Health Integration Project, and the collaboration between the Swiss Government and the EU to enhance public finance management.
Monitoring for sustained PHC improvement
Tajikistan’s journey towards its PHC goals is yet confronted with key challenges, notably the need for increased per capita spending for more effective primary care, addressing the growing burden of out-of-pocket expenditure, and fully integrating vertical programs into primary care. To sustain current momentum in addressing these key challenges, SDG3 GAP partners have piloted a monitoring framework on their joint efforts in countries including Tajikistan. This framework aims to encourage ongoing government feedback, enabling continuous improvements in their coordinated support to government to align better with national priorities, plans and coordination mechanisms and systems. In 2022, the government of Tajikistan reported successful collaboration practices within the national COVID-19 response and partners aligning their support with national plans, with increased donor funding alignment to budget priorities. The government also highlighted partners’ increased use of local monitoring systems and improved joint technical assistance.
The government recommended further improvements in their feedback, including enhancing coordination within the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, strengthening the DCC health platform, and developing a unified resource mapping tool to prevent duplication. In response, partners have introduced new coordination mechanisms, including the new technical subgroups, to enhance coordination within the DCC health platform. To further improve quality, Tajikistan is using a data-driven approach to accelerate progress in primary healthcare and other priority health areas, through the WHO Delivery for Impact 100-day challenge. As a pilot country on this challenge, the government of Tajikistan is using data to identify priority areas and develop joint delivery plans, building on the collaborative structures established.
Tajikistan government’s strong political will and stakeholder collaboration continues to drive progress toward UHC via PHC.
What is the SDG3 GAP?
The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All (SDG3 GAP) is a set of commitments by 13 agencies that play significant roles in health, development, and humanitarian responses to help countries accelerate progress on the health-related SDG targets. The added value of the SDG3 GAP lies in strengthening collaboration across the agencies to take joint action and provide more coordinated support aligned to country owned and led national plans and strategies.
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Press Release
08 October 2024
Building partnerships for sustainable results and development
A two-day workshop for the representatives of the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) on “Navigating Partnerships with the United Nations: Understanding the UN Partner Portal and Collaboration Opportunities” was organized jointly by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Women, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.The workshop aims to facilitate a better understanding partnership processes and opportunities for collaboration with United Nations agencies through the United Nations Partner Portal (UNPP). Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, the United Nations Resident Coordinator shared in her opening remarks that “Building partnerships with local civil society and non-governmental organizations is essential to ensure long-term impact and continuity of the SDG results. The UN system in Tajikistan will further strengthen its collaboration and create opportunities for NGOs and CSOs in bringing their knowledge and expertise to implement the national development priorities”. Mr. Ashurboy Solehzoda, the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan commended the level of partnerships with NGOS and CSOs and highlighted their importance to address the national priorities and achieving the SDGs in Tajikistan. He particularly mentioned the areas where the local organizations contribute to improve policies, implementation and to sustain the development results. The World Food Programme Representative, Mr. Adham Musallam thanked the contributing UN agencies for this event and mentioned that “the workshop is an opportunity to learn from each other and use all available resources to achieve our development goals. The UN Partner Portal simplifies and strengthens UN partnership processes. By choosing the right partners, we can better support projects and programmes, and deliver impactful and sustainable results, making life better for everyone everywhere”. The workshop provided interactive sessions on the opportunities for direct engagement with UN Agencies in Tajikistan, and networking activities to strengthen cooperation between civil society and the UN system. The participants also received practical guidance on the main principles of cooperation with the UN, such as compliance with UN values and standards, existing instruments of cooperation, the use of UNPP (www.unpartnerportal.org), a centralized platform designed to facilitate partnerships with UN agencies, and explored opportunities for collaboration for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027). The United Nations Partner Portal (UNPP) is an online platform designed to streamline partnerships between UN agencies and NGOs/CSOs. It provides a centralized hub for sharing organizational and project information and facilitates connections based on expertise and partnership opportunities. Enrollment in the UNPP is a requirement for all organizations that seek to work with the UN agencies. The workshop will also help organizations that are not yet registered with the UN and could be valuable collaborators in the future. It can equally benefit the existing partners seeking to enhance their knowledge and hands-on practice on the UNPP portal.
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Press Release
04 October 2024
Enhancing risk knowledge for stronger early warning systems in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE – On October 3-4 an important workshop is taking place in Dushanbe within the framework of the “Strengthening resilience to disasters and climate change in Tajikistan” joint project of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Government of Switzerland. The joint project is complementing the global initiative “Early Warnings for All” (EW4All) and is titled “Advancing Risk Knowledge to Improve Tajikistan’s Disaster Early Warning System.” With participation from partners like UNDP, OCHA, CIMA Research Foundation, and Microsoft, the workshop is led by the Government of Tajikistan.Tajikistan, a country highly prone to natural disasters, has faced over 4,000 events in recent decades, causing an estimated $500 million in damages. This makes improving early warning systems (EWS) not just a priority, but a necessity. The workshop brings together key stakeholders to focus on one essential element: risk knowledge. This knowledge helps identify who is most at risk from disasters like floods or earthquakes and assesses the potential impacts. By understanding these risks, experts can craft tailored warnings to reach the most vulnerable communities in time. To do this, they analyze specific hazards, considering local vulnerabilities and the likely effects on those exposed.While early warning systems are proven to save lives and reduce damage, there are still significant gaps worldwide. Currently, one in three people globally remain unprotected by such systems. The EW4All initiative aims to close this gap by 2027, ensuring that everyone is covered by an effective EWS.Tajikistan has already begun its efforts, holding a national workshop in August 2023 to identify the gaps in its own systems. This led to the creation of a roadmap, officially endorsed in July 2024, which lays out a plan to improve early warnings across the country.At the Dushanbe workshop, participants are reviewing current approaches, receiving training, and learning about new tools, including Microsoft’s AI-powered exposure mapping. These resources will help Tajikistan strengthen its ability to monitor, evaluate, and deliver life-saving warnings. The event is a key step toward creating a more resilient future for the country, ensuring that no community is left unprotected from the threats of natural disasters.
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Press Release
07 October 2024
UN Women Tajikistan Hosts Open Day for Peace Dialogue, Offering a Platform for Women Leaders to Share Experiences, Best Practices, and Solutions
The event featured two sessions, with presentations from representatives of government entities, UN agencies, and civil society organizations. Over 50 participants attended, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Committee for Women and Family Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Committee on Youth and Sports, as well as women activists, experts, and international partners.The International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1981 as a Day devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000, became the first linking the status of women in conflicts with the agenda of international peace and security. UN Security Council relevant resolutions affirm the vital role of women in conflict prevention and resolution, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and post conflict recovery. These resolutions also contain recommendations to take specific measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence. UN Women practices an annual dialogue at the national, regional, and global levels to support women peace activists to voice their views and priorities regarding peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution and to link to global dialogue on peace and security to address root causes of conflict and crisis emerge.The opening session began with a speech by the UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, who emphasised: “Promoting women’s participation in political and economic affairs is crucial for addressing modern challenges and ensuring security, as their involvement leads to sustainable peacebuilding outcomes. However, women’s underrepresentation in peace processes reflects the broader issue of gender inequality in leadership roles, indicating that no country has yet achieved gender equality, which undermines the rights of half of humanity.” The Head of UN Women in Tajikistan, Ms. Malika Jurakulova, officially opened the sessions and welcomed the participants to the event: “For example, analyses of around 40 peace processes since the end of the Cold War shows that when women's groups exercised a strong influence at the negotiation table, there was a much higher chance that an agreement would be reached than when women exercised weak or no influence at all. In the situations when women had strong influence, an agreement was almost always reached.” The event facilitated discussions on key topics, including:a current progress, the implementation gaps and challenges as well as emerging trends and priorities for action to enforce efficiently WPS commitments in the national and local levels;emerging priorities for a future WPS policy;addressing women’s views and priorities, including for meaningful participation in decision-making to promote peace, security and development in line with a New Agenda for Peace;enhancing the role of women in building trust, reconciliation, and gender responsive diplomacy to promote peace and security in Central Asia.“Advocacy for peace should be a constant endeavor, particularly among the youth in all regions and districts. Many of them do not recall the horrors of the Civil War that we once endured.”- said, Ms. Guljahon Bobosadikova, Gender Expert.“The issue of Women, Peace, and Security has been significant for Tajikistan since the Civil War years. Today, it has gained even more relevance due to ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world. The role of women in this issue is undeniably crucial, given women constitute half of the population.”- shared, Ms. Marhabo Olimi, Gender Expert.In the second session of the Open Dialogue, Ms. Nargis Azizova, Policy Advisor for Governance, Peace, and Security at the UN Women ECA Office, delivered a presentation titled “Moving from 'Business as Usual' in Women, Peace, and Security National Policies to Address Emerging Priorities and Opportunities.”“Human rights and gender equality are integral to conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. They are not separate issues but are deeply interconnected. They are at the heart of efforts to build a peaceful and inclusive society and ignoring these aspects can risk perpetuating the root causes of conflict and hinder the path towards peace.” - emphasized, Ms. Nargis Azizova, Policy Advisor for Governance, Peace, and Security at the UN Women ECA Office.At the conclusion of the event, a summary of key discussion outcomes and agreed recommendations was compiled and shared with all participants. For further details, please refer to the following documents related to Women, Peace, and Security (WPS):⮚ A New Agenda for Peace;
⮚ Women’s participation in peacebuilding. Report of the Secretary-General ;
⮚ Latest UNSG report on WPS;
⮚ National Strategy and Action Plan of the Republic of Tajikistan on Countering Terrorism and Extremism for 2021 – 2025. For further details, please contact: Davroni Davronzoda, National Communication Consultant, E-mail: davroni.davronzoda@unwomen.org.
⮚ Women’s participation in peacebuilding. Report of the Secretary-General ;
⮚ Latest UNSG report on WPS;
⮚ National Strategy and Action Plan of the Republic of Tajikistan on Countering Terrorism and Extremism for 2021 – 2025. For further details, please contact: Davroni Davronzoda, National Communication Consultant, E-mail: davroni.davronzoda@unwomen.org.
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Press Release
25 September 2024
UN in Tajikistan hosts Youth Watch Party of the Summit of the Future Youth Action Day
Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, UN Resident Coordinator greeted the young people and mentioned that the Summit of the Future, is an opportunity to agree on multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow, strengthening global governance for the present and future generations. It allows representatives of all groups, including young people, to gather and raise their voices. Ms. Ramaswami stressed the crucial role of youth in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both globally and specifically in Tajikistan, where approximately 70% of the population is under 30 years. As the leaders of tomorrow, young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a passion for change that are essential in tackling pressing issues like climate change and social inequality. Ms. Ramaswami thanked the young people on Tajikistan for their commitment and encouraged them to work hand-in-hand with the UN, the government and their communities towards achieving the SDGs and leaving a legacy for our future generations. Young people gathered for this occasion, viewed one of the videos from the Youth Action Days that preceded the Summit of the Future titled "Empowering Youth for Sustainable Futures: Inter-generational Responsibility and Skills for a Just Transition". In the discussions that followed, the participants explored how education can be transformed across their society to build the green skills and green jobs to deliver a just and sustainable transition. The Summit of the Future brought world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. World leaders convened at the United Nations from 21-23 September 2024 to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.
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Press Release
16 September 2024
UN Women Tajikistan Facilitates the Opening of a Reproductive Health Support Room in Vahdat
The Room was opened during an event which was attended by representatives of government officials from Tajikistan's Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Executive Bodies of Vahdat city, UN Women Tajikistan, UNFPA Tajikistan, the NGO “Gender and Development”, and representatives of the Afghan women's refugee community. The city of Vahdat, with an estimated population of 54,400 as of 1 January 2022, is home to over 7,000 Afghan refugees. The newly established Reproductive Health Support Room will play a pivotal role in addressing the health needs of the target groups of the project. Special attention will be given to reducing the burden of diseases and promoting preventive healthcare, particularly for women living with disabilities, Afghan women refugees, and other at-risk groups. Through the provision of inclusive services, this facility aims to make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of women in Vahdat, including the significant refugee population. The healthcare professionals serving at the Reproductive Health Support Room bring with them a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge in reproductive health. They are committed to ensuring accessible healthcare for women with disabilities, offering psychological support, and implementing proactive measures to address gender-based violence. The establishment of this room marks a significant achievement within the framework of the project “Socio-economic Recovery of Afghan Women Refugees in Vahdat and Rudaki.” This project is supported by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund and implemented by UN Women Tajikistan and UNFPA Tajikistan in partnership with the Public Organization “Gender and Development.” The opening of this Reproductive Health Support Room reflects the project's dedication to improving the health and well-being of women affected by forced displacement. UNFPA in Tajikistan has also contributed to this initiative, further underscoring the collective commitment to addressing the needs of underserved women. The project is being implemented in close cooperation with the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan. It provides various training courses for Afghan women refugees, including English, IT, human rights, gender equality, refugee rights and obligations, prevention of gender-based violence, business start-up, and business retention and expansion. These initiatives aim to enhance the economic and social integration of Afghan women refugees into the host community. For further details, please contact: Davroni Davronzoda, National Communication Consultant, E-mail: davroni.davronzoda@unwomen.org
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