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24 January 2023
UN Secretary General's message on the International Day of Education 2023
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17 January 2023
Contributing to effective border control and security by training border officers
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14 December 2022
Soils, where food begins: Tajikistan marks World Soil Day 2022
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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
02 April 2021
UNDAF Joint Steering Committee Meeting takes place in Dushanbe
The Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations met today to review achievements against national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals and to discuss upcoming development cooperation plans. The meeting was convened by Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, and Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator who together co-chair the National Joint Steering Committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the United National Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2016-2022).*
The meeting reviewed the UN’s contribution during 2020 to sustainable development in both the COVID-19 response as well as across the pillars of the UNDAF: democratic governance, rule of law and human rights; inclusive and sustainable economic development; social development (health, education, and social protection) and access to quality services; inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable groups; and environmental sustainability.
In 2020, in partnership with the Government, the UN in Tajikistan provided:
more than 3.5 million individuals with essential health services
more than 2.5 million children and vulnerable households with food assistance
more than 2 million children with distance learning support
more than 20,000 women with reproductive health services during a time when all health services were stretched to the limit
dedicated support to those experiencing gender-based violence
support through cash assistance, food packages, and documentation to almost 10,000 refugees and stateless people,
support through transportation and food packages to more than 3,000 Tajik migrants stranded abroad
on the job training on digitalization, grants for startups, and job creation to almost 4,000 people (42% women and 37% youth) and more than 900 small businesses affected by COVID
The major UNDAF results achieved represent a joint commitment and collaborative efforts between the UN Agencies and the Government of Tajikistan:
adoption of Law on Legal Aid in 2020 (20% of the budget of the free legal aid system covered by the state budget)
development and ensuring SDG mainstreaming in MoEDT and other key strategic documents,
Net enrolment ratio (NER) in pre-primary education, children between the ages of 36–59 months (SDG 4.2.2) 15.9% (school year 19-20);
providing access to essential health services for up to 80 % of the general population;
increasing access and coverage of vulnerable groups of the population to protective programs by 60%;
providing hot meals up to 433,000 students (49% girls) in schools; 22,000 families of vulnerable school children receiving a special take-home ration;
development of a roadmap for ratification of CRPD adopted by the Government of RT on February 27, 2020, and
518,430 people (57% women) across 20 most vulnerable district benefiting from the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation interventions;
Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi, Minister of Economic Development and Trade expressed his gratitude to the UN for the partnership and support in the country’s development made possible due to the economic policy within the development agenda supported by the President of Tajikistan. Thanks to coordinated actions and the timely integrated response plan the average annual GDP growth was ensured at the level of at least 7% and GDP increased by 1.6 times and the poverty has been reduced from 31.3 percent to 26.3 percent despite the COVID-19 crisis and economic slowdown.
Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator noted: “We have less than 10 years left to achieve all the 2030 Agenda targets that Tajikistan has established to eliminate poverty and food insecurity, achieve gender equality, fight climate change, and more. The full roll-out of the UN reform in Tajikistan has a focus on moving from the provision of development assistance to a partnership for sustainable development, and we look forward to enhanced cooperation in achieving results against these priorities and making this vision a reality in the next two years.
The full 2020 UN Annual Results Report for Tajikistan that illustrates the UN’s contribution to the advancement of the SDG will be available on 10 April 2021.
* The UNDAF is a strategic framework that draws on the full range of expertise and resources of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to deliver development results in response to national priorities as reflected in the National Development Strategy 2030, the Mid-term Development Programme 2021-2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Photo
25 October 2021
National Workshop on SDG Financing in Tajikistan kicks off in Dushanbe
National Workshop on SDG Financing in Tajikistan kicks off in Dushanbe: experts discuss the innovative approaches in financing SDGs on the national level
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Photo
27 November 2020
'16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence' Launches in Tajikistan
Government, UN and EU launch 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
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Story
31 October 2022
Promoting a human rights-based approach to drug use prevention and treatment in law enforcement
UNODC, with the support of USAID and UNAIDS, and jointly with civil society partners, organized a series of trainings aimed at strengthening the collaboration of community-led organizations working with people who use drugs and law enforcement officers, as well as promoting the role of law enforcement in public health. The trainings were conducted by Ms. Zhannat Kosmukhamedova, UNODC Regional Adviser for Eastern Europe and Central Asia on Drugs/HIV, and Mr. Maram Azizmamadov, Director of NGO “Volunteer” in Tajikistan.
According to WHO/UNAIDS estimates, the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. People who inject drugs accounted for almost half of new adult HIV infections in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (48 percent). The situation is further challenged by the new trends in drug use where new psychoactive substances/stimulants amplify the risk of acquiring HIV among key populations and require comprehensive and innovative approaches which include the involvement of all relevant national stakeholders and place human rights at the forefront. Epidemics in the region are expanded in the face of serious legal and policy barriers, especially punitive laws, stigma and discrimination, insufficient resource mobilization and service provision for the most vulnerable populations.
The problem originates in huge gaps in understanding what the needs of people who use drugs are and the stigma existing among healthcare workers, law enforcement and decision-makers. To address this gap, UNODC in Tajikistan promotes the strengthening of partnerships between health authorities, civil society, local communities and law enforcement agencies to support human rights and the health of people who use drugs and address drug and HIV-related stigma. The series of trainings were aimed at community empowerment to address the social, cultural, and political determinants that affect health and sought community-led organizations to build partnerships with other sectors in finding solutions.
On 22-23 September, a training course “The role of law enforcement officers in drug use prevention and prevention of the spread of HIV. Referral scheme to prevention and treatment services” for mid-level and senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan took place. A total of 20 law enforcement officers from around Tajikistan, three CSO representatives and two health specialists took part in the training. The training aimed to highlight the importance of human rights-based policing approaches, especially with regard to key populations.
During the training sessions, the participants learned about referral mechanisms to harm reduction and HIV prevention and treatment services, the use of alternative or non-custodial sentences for people who use drugs, discussed HIV and drug-related stigma and discrimination and the importance of the participation of law enforcement agencies in protecting public health, including through their systematic work with key populations, among others. Police officers have also improved their knowledge of HIV/TB/HCV transmission, harm reduction services and how law enforcement can positively impact key populations’ access to services.
Between 22 August and 29 September, four more sensitizing workshops for CSOs and law enforcement agencies on cooperation for a better HIV and public health response were conducted in Dushanbe, Khujand, Bokhtar and Khorugh in Tajikistan, where a total of 30 civil society representatives and 67 law enforcement representatives took part. These two-day information workshops titled “Strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and civil society organizations in the context of drug use and HIV” directly focused on the dialogue of civil society and community-led organizations with law enforcement agencies, and on enhancing the civil society organizations’ capacity to advocate with law enforcement to ensure greater access to harm reduction services for people who use drugs.
Sensitizing workshops resulted in the two sides developing the road map of joint activities at the local levels: CSOs are to participate in regular police meetings with the general community; police and CSO are to organize regular meetings to exchange relevant positions, concerns and ideas; CSOs are to develop an informational stand about the HIV/HCV/TB prevention and services that CSOs provide for key groups.
“UNODC firmly believes that the partnership between law enforcement and health agencies and communities is vital to the effective HIV response since it curbs epidemics at the community level. The elimination of legal barriers to harm reduction depends on the level of competence of employees and personnel of ministries and departments, as well as their gender sensitivity. We are committed to extending our assistance to countries willing to build law enforcement bodies that are knowledgeable, responsive and willing to become agents of change and cohesion in the community,” noted Ms. Kosmukhamedova.
The feedback received from the participants was very positive. They highlighted the importance of such partnership between law enforcement and civil society to ensure a more human rights-oriented and evidence-based national HIV response. Community-led trainings have been emphasized as essential for sustainable multi-sectoral partnership and trust-building and should be part of regular practice in designing and implementing national public health strategies.
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Story
19 August 2022
Story of Gulchehra Usmanova: dedication to saving lives as a source of motivation and inspiration
Gulchehra Usmanova has worked for WFP Tajikistan for more than 20 years and has contributed to the recovery and development of vulnerable people after emergencies and conflicts. She says that WFP has become more than a job for her, with the organization being like her family.
"I joined WFP in 2000 and started working in our Field Office in Bokhtar, Khatlon region, when I remember looking for a job in the period after the 1992-1997 civil war and applying everywhere. It was a difficult time, and I was left alone with a baby in my arms, since my husband had died after the civil war.
When I started working at WFP, we were initiating an emergency operation to assist 1.2 million people in rural areas through Vulnerable Group Feeding and Food for Asset Rehabilitation. The purpose was to rehabilitate agricultural infrastructure, assisting the country to alleviate the damages of civil war, so we distributed food aid to vulnerable people every quarter The impacts of the civil war were compounded by a drought, and people didn't irrigate or plant anything. As part of this program, we helped our returning civil war-era refugees who came back from Afghanistan in early 2001. In my 21 years with WFP, I have worked in different projects and, in 2001, even participated in the creation of WFP Tajikistan's largest operation, school feeding.
"Our work saves lives"
At that time, we worked on a lot of projects for women without husbands. I was going through a very hard time during the war, so it was very empowering for me to help war-affected women like myself to become more self-confident and find their way thanks to the support we gave through our projects. After eight years working in Khatlon region, I moved to the WFP Country Office in Dushanbe. When I started working in the Khatlon office it was not safe, it was turbulent after wartime, but it didn't scare me, I was brave to do my job without fear of anyone or anything. When you see that you save people, it's very motivating and inspiring. You see how people rejoice at your help and your work. and you realize that all is not in vain, which is why I love my job and have devoted 21 years of my life to it. The moment you walk around the fields and see broken and totally lost people, you realize that you can help them and it's motivating. Thanks to my work I have learned a lot, I can now safely work in any of our programs. And of course, my work has improved my communication skills, when people are lost and aggressive, and it is very important to find a common language with them and give the right help.
“I break gender stereotypes with my example”
I showed women by my own example that it is very important to develop and invest in your knowledge because it makes you self-confident and independent. Working in the Khatlon region and working with government agencies and institutions in the post-conflict time made me strong. My work has taught me to solve problems and help people specifically, not to panic and not know how to behave in a certain situation; I am now solving problems, learned to work under minimal supervision and although some men tell me that I am a fragile woman, it is far from that. I am trying to break stereotypes about women.
WFP is about work, about saving people, saving lives, we primarily do everything to save lives, not to advertise our organization, our priorities are different. Right now, I'm working on a climate change adaptation and resilience (CCARB) unit. In our projects we try to make people more self-sufficient, not just give them help and forget about them. There was a time when I wanted to quit, but no, I stayed because I like my job and I enjoy saving people's lives. I even managed to work with refugees. We helped Afghan refugees recover from the conflicts in the early 2000s.
Working in CCARB we noted that people often don't understand the importance of mudflows and water discharges. They and block them, and build houses in the place of irrigation ditches, then floods wash their houses away. It should also be noted that WFP has a very good partnership with governmental agencies and international organizations, this is very important to build a productive partnership with the state, as they are the main counterparts in implementation. I was a Gender Result Network member, and I conducted WFP gender sessions for WFP staff, partners, and beneficiaries. Even during the pandemic, we tried not to leave people without help and kept working. We went out to help people affected by the pandemic, distributed food, and provided other assistance. Sometimes there are stressful situations because you're afraid of missing deadlines for different types of activities or when you must learn something new. When stress comes up, and it's inevitable, especially in field work, the most important thing is to talk about it and help each other to deal with these situations. For me, WFP is a job I love, an opportunity, an opportunity to develop and help people who find themselves in a hopeless situation.
Several years ago, I remember in the Qabodiyon district of Khatlon region, we were providing children with nutritional food and saving them from malnutrition under the Nutrition project. We were urgently contacted and told that stocks of specialty infant formula had run out at the time of our visit to one therapeutic feeding center, and that if feeding with this special formula was not provided, a baby there would die. The doctors said that there was no way to come and take the formula from one therapeutic feeding center to another, so I took it and rushed. I saw the child in a very bad condition. He was exhausted. I remember how he drank the formula and he got better. His mother seemed to come alive at that moment and she was so thankful for us. I remember her saying, "How nice of you to come". It really touched my heart, and I haven't forgotten that story.
I have a dream to go and work in another WFP office in another country to share what I have learned in my more than 20 years here and of course learn from other offices. You get greater experience when you go to the field and work in the regions with affected people.
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Story
28 July 2022
UNODC trains prison officers in Tajikistan
One of the important objectives of the staff of prison services is to contribute to public safety through safe, secure and humane management of suspects and offenders and the provision of opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration. Prison staff training is essential to enable them to mitigate potential threats in prison and find solutions on how to manage prison challenges at large.
The UNODC’s approach to supporting the penitentiary system is underpinned by international norms and standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules).
On 18 – 20 July 2022, UNODC conducted in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) a three-day workshop on training curricula for prison officers and the Nelson Mandela Rules. The workshop aimed to review the current training curriculum for prison officers and elaborate on the institutionalization of the UNODC’s e-learning course on the Nelson Mandela Rules into the regular training curriculum for prison officers. Twenty penitentiary system officers attended the workshop.
“Capacity building is particularly important for prison staff working with prisoners convicted for extremism and terrorism. Improving the skills of our staff to organize work with these groups of prisoners more effectively is our priority. We are confident that today’s workshop allowing for an exchange of views on various challenges of the penitentiary system, will be useful for the participants, and will also provide the opportunity to develop recommendations for further cooperation and exchange of best practices,” said Mr. Furkat Akbarov, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sentences under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan in opening the workshop.
“The work and focus dedicated to identifying and improving the curriculum by the UNODC team, in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice in Tajikistan, will deliver high-quality results and improve the ability of prison officers in Tajikistan to effectively and successfully work with foreign terrorist fighters and violent extremist prisoners,” said Ms. Bridgette Walker, Chargé d’Affaires, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe in her welcome remarks.
“Beginning this workshop today, on Nelson Mandela Day, is no mere coincidence. The Nelson Mandela Rules - are a guiding light for the establishment of safe and humane prisons around the globe that properly rehabilitate and prevent individuals from reoffending. These rules provide a strong, principled foundation on which prison systems can best address the needs of the prisoners and the country’s security,” she added.
The workshop was conducted in a hybrid format and provided theoretical and practical sessions. The sessions were delivered by Torben Adams, Shah Salman Khan, Jörg Lorenz, Batyr Saparbaev, and Myrzabek Tuiganov - international experts with extensive experience in criminal justice, human rights and security, prison system management, training prison staff and curriculum design.
Mr. Torben Adams, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, thanked the Government of Tajikistan for its commitment to the joint Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Programme in the country and all related initiatives. He also expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government for the financial support that enabled to work in partnership on the important topics of security and safety in prison, and on rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners.
“In our joint mission to ‘leave no-one behind’, we must not forget prisoners and those who are tasked with their custody and care. On Nelson Mandela Day, we are sending a strong message to that effect – a message which reiterates the need to ensure continued human rights compliance behind bars and which reiterates that treating prisoners in line with their human dignity and effectively preparing them for their release is an essential contributor to public safety and the cohesion of societies,” he noted.
During the workshop, the participants learned about the Nelson Mandela Rules, national and international training curricula for prison staff, core competencies required for prison staff working with violent extremist prisoners and foreign terrorist fighters, special needs of women violent extremist prisoners and juveniles recruited and exploited by violent extremist groups. They also acquired knowledge and skills in the process of curriculum design and the related management techniques in some jurisdictions with an emphasis on the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) method.
They had a dedicated discussion on the selection and recruitment process for staff working in prison, and on the induction and advanced training which should be offered for staff working in prison.
On the last day of the workshop, the participants made recommendations on the design, delivery and institutionalization of an in-service training curriculum for prison officers dedicated to the management of high-risk prisoners, including terrorist and foreign terrorist fighters prisoners, and put forward suggestions on the institutionalization of the UNODC’s e-learning course on the Nelson Mandela Rules into the regular training curriculum for prison staff in Tajikistan.
Upon completion of the workshop, the participants were awarded certificates. They thanked UNODC and trainers for the high quality of the workshop.
The workshop was conducted under the UNODC Global Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Programme and the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025. The UNODC Global Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Programme is funded by the Counterterrorism Bureau of the U.S. Department of State.
The programme in Tajikistan aims to enhance the national capacity to manage threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters through technical assistance to law enforcement, corrections, and justice sector agencies consistent with relevant norms of international law.
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Story
14 July 2022
UNODC raises public awareness about illicit drugs in Central Asia
Central Asia borders Afghanistan - the world’s largest opium poppy producer. The region is on the front line of efforts to counter drug trafficking along the northern route.
Thematic public awareness-raising campaigns play an important role in the fight against illicit drugs. It is crucial to inform, in particular, young people, who make up more than half of the population in Central Asian countries about the risks posed by drug use and illicit drug trafficking.
The awareness-raising campaign was conducted at the Korday border crossing point (BCP) on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border, the Sypatay Batyr BCP on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border, the Ak-Zhol BCP on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border, the Zhibek Zholy BCP on the Kazakh-Uzbek border, the Dusti BCP on the Tajik-Uzbek border, the Sariosiyo BCP on the Uzbek-Tajik border, the Gisht Kuprik BCP on the Uzbek-Kazakh border and the Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan, the International Airport Manas in Kyrgyzstan and the Tashkent International Airport in Uzbekistan.
During the campaign, the UNODC team and law enforcement officers working at the BCPs and international airports placed information banners and disseminated fridge magnets among people crossing the borders. The messages on the banners and magnets were presented in English, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Russian, Tajik, and Uzbek languages.
A campaign video dedicated to the Day was shown at the arrival and departure terminals of international flights of the Aktau International Airport and the border terminal of the Sypatay Batyr BCP.
The UNODC representatives and law enforcement officers informed the citizens crossing the land and air borders about World Drug Day, the harmful health consequences of drug use and the legal consequences of illicit drug use and trafficking, among others.
The banners provided the following useful information: “Even a single use of a drug can cause severe harm to the human body. You can become addicted to any type of drug the first time you try it”; “Illegal drugs are often transported under the guise of ordinary food, medications, or other legal goods”; “Anyone can be found to be a drug trafficker by agreeing to transport a stranger’s luggage across the border if it is found to contain drugs.”
The key message on the magnet was a reminder of the harms of drug abuse.
The campaign was conducted under the Cross-Border Cooperation Project of Sub-programme 1 “Countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025. The project aims to enhance the capacity of border crossing points and improve regional cross-border cooperation by promoting Border Liaison Offices’ concept and developing information and communication networks for border agencies.
The project is funded by the Government of Japan.
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Story
07 July 2022
Training drug control agents helps to effectively respond to drug trafficking challenges along the Tajik-Afghan border
Drug trafficking and illicit financial flows emanating out of Afghanistan pose increased challenges for the Central Asian region. Afghanistan continues to dominate the worldwide opium market, accounting for 85 per cent of the global production total in 2020. Opium produced in Afghanistan supplies markets in neighbouring countries as well as Europe, the Near and Middle East, South Asia and Africa.
Of all of Afghanistan’s neighbours in Central Asia, Tajikistan shares its longest border. The Tajik-Afghan border runs for almost 1400 km and through incredibly rugged mountains that, compounded by weak security, make it porous. Tajikistan is therefore the most vulnerable among its neighbours to drug-related threats and challenges. Accordingly, Tajikistan plays a critical role in fighting illicit drug trafficking, especially given the high opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, and the increased production of synthetic drugs. Tajikistan ranked eleventh among countries with the largest quantities of opiate seizures in 2020.
UNODC’s counternarcotics efforts in Central Asia aim to strengthen national drug enforcement agencies to address the drug-related threats and challenges effectively. The foremost coordinating institute of drug control, prevention and enforcement-related activities in Tajikistan is the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan (DCA), established in 1999. UNODC has supported it since then to enhance its capacities to counter drug trafficking, including strengthening institutional and human resources capabilities to cope with emerging challenges related to the regional drug situation.
Since 2020, UNODC in Tajikistan has been establishing a training academy at the DCA as part of a project funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The academy is designed to empower DCA staff, equipping them with the relevant knowledge and skills to execute effective service delivery.
To establish the long-term sustainability of the training centre, UNODC has assisted in conducting training-of-trainers (ToT) courses to create a pool of national trainers. They will support the DCA by developing and delivering the training curriculum, and advising on the application of relevant tools, standards and norms, and best practices in the design, delivery and evaluation of training programmes.
Two recipients of the ToT courses are Major Nuriddin Sharifzoda, Head of the DCA Legal Affairs Unit, and Lieutenant Colonel Tojiddin Ismoiliyon, Head of the DCA Training Centre. They are building their skills to develop their institution’s capacity, efficiency, and reputation.
Over the past eight months they have delivered training courses with skills and knowledge gained from the ToT programmes and drafted standard operating procedures and some policy documents.
Recently, the pair took a study tour to institutions in Almaty, Kazakhstan and Budapest, Hungary to study methods of organizing, developing, conducting, and evaluating training programmes, and processing information on drugs and precursors. They compared good practices that could be brought to the DCA.
Tojiddin Ismoiliyon described his experience to UNODC: “I have extensive teaching experience. By attending ToT courses, I learned about new teaching methods, and how to plan, conduct, and structure a course. I honed my training skills, and knowledge in adult education. I developed the DCA and UNODC project implementation plan and training materials. The trainings greatly contributed to my professional development.”
Nuriddin Sharifzoda also expressed that “the courses added value to my professional teaching experience. I have trained recruits and in-service officers from the regional and inter-district departments of DCA. The ToT courses improved my training skills and knowledge in using best teaching practices. I am now equipped to conduct advanced training courses for the DCA’s instructors and staff,” he added.
Both trainers were asked what they intended to do next with their additional knowledge and skills. Both proposed establishing an institute of advanced training and professional development at the DCA training centre to further strengthen the agency’s training and human resources capacities.
Tojiddin Ismoiliyon discussed developing the DCA’s institutional capacities “to ensure favourable training conditions and high quality of training activities, adapted to modern requirements and in line with international standards. If the agency’s human resources capacity is strengthened, that will contribute to conducting counternarcotics activities more effectively. That will in turn contribute to the effective detection of crimes and drug seizures.”
Nuriddin Sharifzoda shared his plans to contribute to the agency’s development: “I am engaged in reviewing the current drug control legislation and proposals to improve it. I will help improve drug control regulatory and legal acts and bring legislation in line with international standards and Tajikistan’s obligations. And I will pass my new knowledge on to our officers.”
As part of its activities for World Drug Day, 26 June 2022, the DCA organized and conducted drug abuse prevention public awareness-raising campaigns and contests among youth. Both Major Nuriddin Sharifzoda and Lieutenant Colonel Tojiddin Ismoiliyon took active roles in organizing the events and promoting good health, with their enhanced training experience and skills making the activities impactful.
Mustafa Erten, Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Tajikistan, delivered several ToT courses and follow-up trainings for the DCA officers. He calls the ToT courses “the most sustainable form of capacity development as they support the building of personal skills in imparting knowledge to others, and build up an institutional memory – key for organizations with an eye on continuous development. It is encouraging to witness the strong commitment of the DCA to ToT courses through our joint project,” he added.
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The UNODC Programme for Central Asia will further strengthen the DCA’s capacity through the ongoing Tajikistan Drug Control Agency Establishing the Training Academy: Phase II project. This includes the provision of additional ToT courses, recruit and in-service staff trainings, as well as the establishment of a new database system for tracking information flow on the DCA capacity-building initiatives and the development of e-learning training modules, and an electronic library system in line with the DCA requirements. The electronic library will be updated by DCA trainers with materials, manuals, and instructions.
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Press Release
24 January 2023
Contributing to effective border control and security by training border officers
Training courses were held between July and December 2022, and covered 80 analyst and operations officers from the border units and divisions of the Tajik Border Troops. The trainings covered a wide range of topics.
In 2022, UNODC continued to strengthen the analytical and operational capacities of the Tajik Border Troops to better respond to threats of transnational organized crime to ensure effective border control and security.
Michael Kopper, Border Security and Law Enforcement Adviser, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Office at the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, highlighted the nexus between terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and smuggling of arms. He noted that the successes of the Tajik Border Troops in countering these threats at the regional level would provide tangible benefits for global security.
During the trainings, border officers enhanced their capacities in conducting and managing operations and information and analytical activities to counter organized crime, including terrorism and violent extremism, illicit drug trafficking and arms smuggling. They improved their skills in using mapping software and analytical specialized software products.
The officers learned about how to counter drug smuggling through ‘green border’ zones and about technical tools to detect and identify narcotics and explosive substances.
They reviewed the national legislation that regulates operational search activities and enhanced their skills in conducting and coordinating joint operations with other law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan.
In addition, the trainings enhanced the officers’ capacities in analytical report writing and effective information-sharing with other law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan - a coordinating institute of drug control, prevention, and enforcement-related activities in the country.
“Tajikistan plays a critical role in countering cross-border crime, including illicit drug trafficking. UNODC trainings contribute to the enhancement of analytical, operational and information-sharing skills and knowledge of the border officers who are at the forefront of ensuring security and should be well equipped to respond to the security threats and challenges effectively,” noted Mustafa Erten, Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Tajikistan.
The feedback received from the participants at the end of the trainings was very positive. They noted that such highly informative and useful courses would enhance the efficiency of their day-to-day work.
Colonel Khushvakht Kishvarsho, Deputy Commander of the Border Troops, thanked UNODC and INL for their continued support in addressing security threats along the Tajik-Afghan border. He highlighted the UNODC’s important contribution to securing and managing the borders of Tajikistan through its border initiatives and projects. He noted that this support is vital for sustaining peace and security not only in Tajikistan but also in the wider Central Asian region.
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The trainings were conducted as part of the Initiative on Strengthening Control along the Tajik-Afghan Border under the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025. The initiative, aimed at strengthening the Border Troops’ capacities to counter transborder crime effectively, is in line with the National Border Management Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan 2010-2025.
The initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
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Press Release
15 December 2022
Soils, where food begins: Tajikistan marks World Soil Day 2022
World Soil Day (WSD) is annually held on 5 December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources. This year, WSD runs under the slogan "Soils, Where Food Begins" to raise awareness of the risks associated with soil nutrient imbalance and soil fertility loss. It highlights the role of soil in producing sufficient, safe, and more nourishing food.
Soils are paramount in our daily lives, providing key ecosystem services that are often forgotten and taken for granted. Food security is a global goal that requires consideration of multiple factors, where soil fertility is a fundamental building block for agricultural production systems.
Healthy soils lay the foundations of agricultural development, healthy and nutritious food production, and essential ecosystem services, which are crucial to our life as well as a sustainable future. We rely on soils for 95 percent of the food we consume. In fact, 33 percent of the Earth's soils are already degraded, and over 90 percent could become degraded by 2050. Soil degradation puts the ecosystems, climate and food security in great jeopardy.
The symposium raised awareness of the importance of soil quality for human wellbeing, food security and ecosystems. It united the relevant stakeholders who play a crucial role in soil management, including scientists, students, government representatives, and international organisations who work towards soil conservation.
The event gathered representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Soil Management, Committee of Environmental Protection, young scientists, public and international organisations, academics, and farmers, with the invited local and international experts in sustainable soil management. During the first day, participants and the invited speakers and experts shared their experiences, research works and projects in soil conservation. The practical part included demonstrating chemical soil analysis and soil sampling methods in the laboratory and field.
"FAO has taken the lead in promoting sustainable soil management through its global soil partnership. With the increasing challenges, we face, maintaining healthy soils will secure better yields, ensuring better production and livelihood. As the main theme of the year highlights, the healthy soils are the better environment for people and nature," said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Tajikistan. "Therefore, we need to support the healthy soil as the prerequisite for our wellbeing," he added.
In Tajikistan, with seven percent of the land being suitable for agriculture, soil depletion represents a serious threat to water resources and jeopardises the state of food security. Considering the rapidly changing climate, soil degradation has never been more urgent, requiring prompt actions.
"We sincerely appreciate the FAO UN, GIZ and EU for their significant contribution and support in soil conservation and restoration in Tajikistan. Soil has all the nutrients and minerals needed for crops to grow. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing unsustainable soil practices that lead to erosion, degradation and draughts. It is crucial to work all together to preserve soil health for a common livelihood ", said Nosirzoda Jabbor, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The symposium served as a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, improving collaboration among all the key parties, learning about the best local and global practices to preserve soil health and applying sustainable approaches in soil management. Healthy soils constitute the legacy of our future. It is time to scale up sustainable soil practices and increase investment in sustainable soil management.
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Press Release
09 December 2022
Tajikistan: Human rights defenders face increasing threats in climate of fear, says UN expert
“Some officials in the Tajik government are trying to engage positively with human rights defenders, and there has been some legislative progress. However, many of those who peacefully defend the rights of others are under increasing pressure,” the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, said in a statement.
“The situation of human rights defenders is deteriorating. Lawyers, journalists and others are being targeted for their human rights work. They have been confronted with a range of difficulties ranging from onerous administrative burdens, to harassment, threats, criminalisation, closed unfair trials and imprisonment,” Lawlor said. “A climate of corruption, the fear of persecution and a stranglehold on human rights defenders working on difficult issues have forced some to leave the country.”
The Tajik government should live up to its international obligations and commitments, and work with human rights defenders to build peaceful, fair and just societies.
During her visit, the Special Rapporteur held meetings with government authorities in Dushanbe, and also travelled to Khujand. She held discussions with the Ombudsman, members of Parliament, prosecutors, the Supreme Court and representatives of the international community. She also visited a pre-trial detention centre and met human rights defenders there. Her request to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (province) was denied.
“The Tajik Government must realise that it is in its self-interest to promote and protect human rights defenders working to build just and fair societies,” Lawlor said. “I urge the Government to treat human rights defenders as allies, not adversaries.”
The Special Rapporteur will present a full report on her visit to the Human Rights Council in March 2024.
ENDS
Ms. Mary Lawlor is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. She is currently Associate Professor of Business and Human Rights at the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) at Trinity College Dublin Business School. In 2001 she founded Front Line Defenders - the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders to focus on human rights defenders at risk. As Executive Director between 2001 and 2016, Ms. Lawlor represented Front Line Defenders and played a key role in its development. Ms. Lawlor was previously Director of the Irish Office of Amnesty International from 1988 to 2000, after becoming a member of the Board of Directors in 1975 and being elected its President from 1983 to 1987.
The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
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Press Release
02 December 2022
High-level government delegation from the Republic of Tajikistan strengthens cooperation with Republic of Türkiye on health system reforms
In Ankara, the delegation meets with high-level representatives of Turkish governmental institutions which are key to the provision of healthcare in the Republic of Türkiye, including the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Labour and Social Security; and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. The meetings between the Deputy Ministers of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of the Republic of Türkiye will build strategic partnerships between the two countries, supporting the further implementation of the health financing reforms in Tajikistan in line with the National Strategy on Healthcare up to 2030. The delegation also visited multiple primary health care facilities in and near Ankara.
This visit is significant to the health reform agenda of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Republic of Türkiye has extensive experience with health system reforms. Both countries aim to make available essential health services to the entire population, without impoverishing or catastrophic payments: Universal Health Coverage. The exchanges and discussions between the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Türkiye will identify best practices as to how to structure health financing, including payment schemes, to achieve this common goal. Primary health care plays a crucial role in any efficient health system and is therefore focused on during the visit.
The delegation includes the Head of the Social Development Department of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ms. Guljahon Abdufattohzoda; First-Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Dr. Gafur Mukhsinzoda, Deputy Minister on Economic Development and Trade Ms. Rukhshona Nasriddinzoda, Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Sarvar Qurboniyon and the Deputy Minister of Labour, Migration and Employment, Mr. Nurullo Mahmadullozoda. Furthermore, the delegation includes representatives from various key departments in each of the abovementioned Ministries, the Agency on Social Insurance and Pensions, and the Finance Departments of Sughd Oblast and Khatlon Oblast. The delegation was supported by representatives from key partner organizations and WHO experts on health financing.
The Turkish development organization Tika in the Republic of Tajikistan provided significant support to the organization of this visit. The high-level visit was made possible as part of the Health Development Programme, funded by the European Union. The European Union is a strong partner of the Republic of Tajikistan and has invested more than 60 million euro to advance towards Universal Health Coverage in the Republic of Tajikistan, in the past decade alone.
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Press Release
27 November 2022
Dushanbe hosted the Second UN Model Conference with students from all country regions
The Youth Initiative “United Nations Association of Tajikistan” has organizing the Second Model UN Conference in Dushanbe. The event was supported by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Tajikistan with funding from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Conference was held within the framework of the Plan of events dedicated to the 30-th anniversary of Tajikistan’s membership in the United Nations.
Conference participants held sessions that imitate meetings of national delegates to the UNICEF Committee. During the event, participants abstracted from their personal viewpoints, defending the official position of the country they represent, respecting diplomatic etiquette.
Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, noted the following during her welcoming speech to Conference participants: “Model UN is a great way to engage active and committed students and young people – like you – that provides a great opportunity to understand what the UN does and how it works. Platforms like Model UN provide an opportunity to identify, discuss and solve problems with other delegates and find solutions for the sustainable development of society and the country”.
Model UN and participation in it is:
• Practical skills in multilateral diplomacy. An opportunity to experience the work of the United Nations and its leading bodies; to offer your own unique way of solving the global complex problems.
• Direct interaction with senior UN officials and experts in the field of international relations that contributes to a better understanding of international problems and finding potential solutions.
• Improving communication skills, creating a mutually positive image of university students participating in the Conference.
• An opportunity to establish new contacts for further cooperation both within the Model movement and in the field of international relations.
Note: Model UN is a popular role-playing game for those who want to learn more about how the UN works. Hundreds of thousands of high school and college students around the world at all levels of education participate in this thematic event every year. Many of contemporary leaders in the area of law, governance, entrepreneurship and the arts have been participants of the Model UN.
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