On 23 July 2026, a working meeting was held under the chairmanship of Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. The meeting focused on the development of the "Strategy for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste in the Republic of Tajikistan until 2040" and the presentation of the "Regional Waste Management Center in Dushanbe."
The meeting was attended by Mr. Ko Sakamoto, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Resident Mission in Tajikistan, representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tajikistan, the leadership of the Committee for Housing and Communal Services, the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management, and the Executive Body of State Authority of Dushanbe City.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Bahodur Sheralizoda noted that on 17 September 2025, during a meeting with the leadership and staff of the Committee for Environmental Protection, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, emphasized that the establishment of integrated waste processing facilities in the country's cities and districts through the attraction of domestic and foreign investment, the application of advanced international practices, and the provision of appropriate incentives to investors would significantly contribute to reducing waste generation. He also stressed that such initiatives would bring substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits to the country.
It was noted during the meeting that approximately 1.6 million cubic meters of waste were generated in Tajikistan in 2025 alone, equivalent to approximately 150 kilograms per capita, and that this figure continues to increase each year.
Senior officials from the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, also participated online, including Ms. Jingmin Huang, Director of the Water and Urban Development Department, Mr. Norio Saito, Senior Director for Water and Urban Development at the Asian Development Bank, as well as a representative of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
Representatives of the Committee for Environmental Protection subsequently presented the draft "Strategy for the Management of Municipal Solid Waste in the Republic of Tajikistan until 2040" and introduced the concept of the "Regional Waste Management Center in Dushanbe."
It was emphasized that the adoption of the Strategy is fully aligned with Tajikistan's international commitments under the Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions, as well as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The Strategy also contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to sustainable cities and climate action.
To this end, the Committee for Environmental Protection, under the guidance of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, has prepared the "Strategy for Waste Management in the Republic of Tajikistan until 2040", together with an Action Plan for 2026-2030. The Strategy provides for the modernization of the legal and regulatory framework in accordance with the principles of the circular economy and extended producer responsibility; the development of modern waste management infrastructure ranging from sanitary landfills to waste-to-energy solutions; the strengthening of environmentally sound management of hazardous, medical, electronic and construction waste; and the introduction of digital monitoring systems and greater transparency in the waste management sector.
Following the presentations, participants exchanged views on enhancing cooperation among the Committee for Environmental Protection, relevant government institutions, and international development partners to facilitate the implementation of these initiatives and achieve tangible, measurable results.
