Strengthening Tajikistan's Disaster Risk Reduction Through International Cooperation

The regular meeting of the members of the National Platform was held under the leadership of the Chairman of the Platform, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Sulaymon Ziyozoda and with the participation of invited guests, partners and international organizations. 

The Platform discussed topical issues of disaster risk reduction in the country, progress on the implementation of the Action Plan of the National DRR Strategy, the Strategy for Financial Protection from Disasters, investment attraction and cooperation with the private sector, the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, implementation of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in Tajikistan and others.

Within the framework of the meeting, members of the National Platform and participants were presented the joint project of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Government of Switzerland “Strengthening Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Tajikistan”, which aims to strengthen the capacity of the National DRR Platform in risk governance, and to support the implementation of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in Tajikistan, particularly, on enhancing disaster risk knowledge.

Mr. Sulaymon Ziyozoda, Chairman of the National DRR Platform, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan in his address noted that: “Participation of partners, such as the United Nations agencies and international organizations in the development and implementation of the Action Plan of National DRR Strategy and relevant projects, as well as of the Roadmap for implementation of the EW4All in Tajikistan considered as essential. In this context, we must strengthen the joint implementation of these actions and make efforts to address existing shortcomings.”

Mr. Rajabali Rahmonali, First Deputy Chairman of the National Platform on DRR, Chairman of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan emphasized in his statement that “the government of Tajikistan always emphasizes its commitment to strengthen international cooperation in disaster risk reduction, and to this end, the country actively participates in regional and international events, and hosts events with all stakeholders in Dushanbe”.

Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan noted that “Republic if Tajikistan’s leadership on DRR has global recognition. I commend the country’s steadfast attention to implement the Sendai Framework for DRR”, and she reiterated that DRR and EW4All measures have to be people centered and trigger actions to minimize damage to people, property, and livelihoods, leaving no one behind.

Ms. Natalia Alonso Cano, Chief of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction noted: “UNDRR is collaborating closely with Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in support of joint activities through the project “Strengthening Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change in Tajikistan”, focusing on strengthening risk governance and risk knowledge, engagement of stakeholders and improving early warning systems”.

Ms. Salome Steib, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan noted in her speech: “I am glad to see today representatives of all the key ministries and state agencies from various sectors. Because disaster risk reduction concerns all the sectors and should be systematically integrated into the sectoral strategies plans with appropriate financial allocations”.

During the meeting, participants were also introduced to initiatives aimed at developing a monitoring and information system for tracking the implementation of the National DRR Strategy. This system, to be developed under the joint project, will enhance oversight and coordination. To facilitate this effort, the National Platform decided to establish a Working Group on Monitoring and Information System Development, and to hold its inaugural meeting.