Tajikistan: UN expert calls for economic diversification and greater fiscal transparency

“Tajikistan has demonstrated remarkable stability in navigating transitions, including civil conflict and profound economic change,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, other international financial obligations and human rights, in preliminary observations at the end of her official visit to the country. “The current transition should ensure that economic growth is diversified, employment-rich and firmly connected to the realisation of human rights.”

Waris welcomed Tajikistan’s sustained economic growth, progress in reducing poverty and expansion of infrastructure. She noted, however, that the economy remained dependent on labour migration, remittances and imports, while domestic production and the export base is still developing.

“Remittances have supported families, household consumption and poverty reduction, but they cannot substitute for sufficient, decent and productive employment at home,” the expert said. “Tajikistan should intensify efforts to develop agriculture and food processing, sustainable tourism, mineral value chains and the digital economy to help realise a right to adequate standard of living for its population in line with Tajikistan’s human rights obligations.”

Waris encouraged the Government to accompany economic diversification with investment in education and skills, reliable internet connectivity, improved access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, and targeted support for women, young people and rural communities. 

The Independent Expert highlighted the potential of the Roghun Hydropower Plant to meet growing domestic electricity demand and strengthen regional energy cooperation and welcomed its completion in 2033. She also underlined that major infrastructure projects should be supported by transparent cost-benefit analyses, responsible financing and public participation.

Assessing the country through the principles of fiscal legitimacy, Waris called for greater transparency and justice in public financial decision-making.

“People should have access to accurate, timely and understandable information about public budgets, expenditure, debt and major investment projects,” she said. “They should also have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their lives.”

The expert encouraged the Government to strengthen public consultation in budget planning. She also recommended delegating appropriate operational responsibilities to ministries, specialised institutions and local authorities, accompanied by adequate resources, clear mandates and effective accountability.

During her visit to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, Waris commended the government in building road connectivity and the creation of cross-border markets. She nevertheless noted continuing challenges caused by difficult terrain, long distances and gaps in transport infrastructure. 

The Independent Expert welcomed measures to increase wages but noted that low pay and shortages of childcare and social services continued to limit equal economic participation, particularly for women. She encouraged expanded childcare, financial literacy and business-development support for entrepreneurs.

Waris expressed appreciation for the Government’s cooperation and continued engagement with the United Nations special procedures system. Her visit was the 13th official country visit by a special procedures mandate holder since 2005.

The Independent Expert will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027.

ENDS

Attiya Waris is the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ 

UN Human Rights, country page – Tajikistan 

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