“Decade of Strengthening Peace for the Sake of Future Generations”
When speaking about a unique peacebuilding initiative, it is first necessary to explain the meaning of the word “peace.” Peace is a great and multifaceted concept that represents security, tranquillity, freedom, independence, prosperity and peaceful life for states and peoples. It also embodies joy, mutual understanding, freedom-loving spirit and patriotism.
This year marks the 29th anniversary of the signing of the landmark document of our country, the “General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan.”
It should be noted that in 2000, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Year for the Culture of Peace. For us Tajiks, it is a matter of pride that the peacebuilding experience of Tajikistan was also taken into consideration in this initiative.
On 27 June 1997, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, stated in his Address on the occasion of the signing of the Agreement: “The aspirations and hopes of the past five or six years to preserve the national state of the Tajiks were fulfilled on this blessed day. However, if you look back at the path leading to this momentous day, you will realize how many obstacles, difficulties and hardships we overcame during these years.”
Indeed, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation and President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, faced numerous hardships on the path towards national unity and even put his own life at risk to save the suffering Tajik people and the state of Tajikistan from the threat of decline and disappearance and to ensure lasting peace, harmony, tranquillity and security in the country. As a result, the honourable and dignified people of Tajikistan supported the courage, bravery and wisdom of the Leader of the Nation. Today, all citizens of the country live in an atmosphere of peace and stability under the banner of national unity and are moving towards a just society.
State independence and national unity have enabled the Republic of Tajikistan to be recognized by more than 151 countries of the world as an integral member of the modern international community and as a sovereign, democratic, law-based, secular, unitary and social state. Today, Tajikistan has established diplomatic relations with 126 of these countries. In addition, the Republic of Tajikistan has become a member of 51 international and regional organizations and international financial institutions and has signed more than 350 multilateral and over 1,200 bilateral international legal instruments.
It is a matter of pride that over the past two decades, the Republic of Tajikistan has actively promoted water-related issues within the framework of the global agenda. At the initiative of the President of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, 2003 was proclaimed the International Year of Freshwater, while the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” (2005–2015), the International Year of Water Cooperation (2013) and the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018–2028) were adopted at the global level. These initiatives are being implemented by the international community today.
At the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan, on 19 February 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution granting Navruz international status. Dozens of other Tajik initiatives concerning global issues have also been endorsed by the United Nations, demonstrating the role of national unity in strengthening Tajikistan’s international standing.
The sixth initiative of the Leader of the Nation, “Decade of Strengthening Peace for the Sake of Future Generations,” which was put forward from the high-level platform of the United Nations on 24 September 2024 and subsequently adopted through a special UN resolution, is a source of pride for every citizen of Tajikistan. Respected Emomali Rahmon was the first among world leaders to put forward this comprehensive and highly relevant initiative. It represents a logical continuation of all previous initiatives of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan in the fields of water, climate and environmental protection.
Peace is a blessing needed by all peoples and states. To understand that peace, stability and unity are central priorities in the domestic and foreign policy of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, it is sufficient to study the texts of the President’s addresses.
It is a source of pride for us Tajiks that the initiative of the President of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, was adopted by the United Nations through a special resolution. Through this initiative, the international community was once again reminded that, in order to ensure lasting peace throughout the world and put an end to human suffering caused by wars and their devastating consequences, strengthening peace for the sake of future generations can provide a genuine foundation for lasting peace and security.
According to the provisions of this document, the General Assembly proclaimed 2027–2036 as the International Decade of Strengthening Peace for the Sake of Future Generations. The main objectives of the Decade are to promote peacebuilding, encourage dialogue and reconciliation, and support intergenerational engagement, including among children, young people and older persons, while taking into account the needs and interests of future generations in policymaking and decision-making processes.
In the complex conditions of today’s world, strengthening peace and stability should become one of the priority areas of the international community. The new initiative of the Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon, to proclaim the “International Decade of Strengthening Peace for the Sake of Future Generations, 2027–2036” meets the requirements of our time and has international significance for promoting a culture of peace and ensuring peaceful lives for present and future generations.
This peacebuilding initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, is aimed not only at the well-being of one or two nations, but at the benefit of all humanity.
The latest initiative of the Leader of the Nation has kindled hope in the hearts of thousands of people, particularly children and young people affected by war, strengthening their hopes and dreams for a brighter future.
Thus, this initiative has brought immense pride and joy to the Tajik people. With pride before present and future generations, Tajiks can say that we have a Leader whose message is one of friendship, peace and stability, tranquillity and security, prosperity and development of all vital spheres throughout the world.
Bahronzoda Qudratullo — Head of the Department of the Agency for Supervision in the Field of Education and Science under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Rasht Region.
