Secretary-General's press encounter in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
 
It’s a pleasure to be back in Dushanbe.
 
I thank His Excellency President Emomali Rahmon, the Government and the people of Tajikistan for your warm welcome.
 
After visiting this wonderful country several times as High Commissioner for Refugees, I last came here seven years ago, on one of my first visits as Secretary-General.
 
Since then, our global family in the world has lived through challenge after challenge.
 
From the COVID-19 pandemic, to increasing geo-political divisions and conflict, to the worsening climate crisis.
 
These challenges remind us that the only sustainable path forward is dialogue and cooperation.
 
This has been my central message throughout this five-country tour of Central Asia.
 
In a splintered world, I am heartened that Central Asia is choosing a different path — a path of solidarity and coming together around common solutions.
 
Tajikistan is a critical part of this, with a remarkable leadership.
 
Since joining the UN 32 years ago, this country has been a champion of multilateralism — and a valued partner.
 
We appreciate Tajikistan’s exemplary cooperation with the United Nations through the UN country team, and the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia. 
 
Tajikistan understands we must address regional and global challenges through solidarity.
 
Frist, global solidarity — demonstrated, for example, by Tajikistan’s leadership in achieving the global water agenda.
 
This includes last month’s Third Dushanbe Water Conference, co-hosting last year’s UN Water Conference, and the first international conference on Glaciers Preservation in 2025.
 
In valuing water, the life of the world, and the preservation of glaciers, Tajikistan is a world leader.
 
Second, regional solidarity — with President Rahmon and his Government working with the country’s neighbours to strengthen ties and solve contentious issues.
 
The progress on the border issue with Kyrgyzstan is one example.
 
The United Nations stands ready to assist once an agreement is reached on both sides of the border.
 
I also appreciate Tajikistan’s commitment to humanitarian solidarity with Afghanistan by helping us deliver aid, and by hosting refugees, exporting electricity, and facilitating cross-border trade. 
 
Tajikistan is demonstrating also solidarity in defeating terrorism and violent extremism that threatens us all.
 
I am particularly grateful for repatriation of Tajik women and children from Syria and Iraq, and Tajikistan’s support of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
 
And I recognize Tajikistan’s solidarity around solutions to the climate crisis.
 
I commend President Rahmon’s pledge to make Tajikistan a “green country” by 2037.
 
Dear members of the media,
 
Tajikistan is making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those on hunger, health, and energy. Our Country Team stands ready to support your priorities with analysis, expertise and the resources we will be able to mobilize.  
 
Full respect for human rights is also a solid base for peace, security and development.
 
Tajikistan recently approved the National Human Rights Strategy, and is making progress towards ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this year.
 
I also encourage Tajikistan’s chairmanship of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus in 2025, and efforts to advance gender equality and uphold the rights of all women and girls in this country and across the region. 
 
Throughout, I urge countries across the region to continue engaging with UN human rights mechanisms and recommendations, and to ensure that the rights of all groups are protected, and that all voices are represented. 
 
Everywhere in the world, civil society groups, human rights defenders, and independent media workers play a critical role in every country.
Around the world, multilateralism is being challenged and countries are failing to unite behind global solutions.
Both the UN Security Council and the international financial architecture need deep reforms, to make them more representative of today’s world and responsive to today’s challenges and the needs of developing countries.
The Summit of the Future is a pivotal opportunity for renewal and reform, and we count on Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries to show leadership and determination in the changes that are needed to make the world more just.
 
Dear friends of the media,
 
The United Nations looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Tajikistan to advance all UN pillars: the pillar of peace, the pillar of development and the pillar of human rights.
 
I once again thank President Rahmon, and the Government and people of Tajikistan for welcoming us.
 
You can count on the United Nations family to work with our partners in Central Asia and particularly in Tajikistan, in our common pursuit of peace, sustainable development and human rights.
 
Thank you.