From September 24 to 27, 2026, Dushanbe will host, for the first time, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.
The meeting is expected to be attended by the Secretary-General and the Secretariat of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, as well as heads and members of parliamentary delegations from more than 20 member states of the organization, including the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Cambodia, Qatar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cyprus, Pakistan, Türkiye, the Sultanate of Oman, China, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Russia.
It should be noted that the Republic of Tajikistan holds the chairmanship of the Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly for 2026–2027. In this regard, holding the regular meeting of the Committee in Dushanbe is one of the important events during Tajikistan’s chairmanship.
Tajikistan’s chairmanship of the Standing Committee provides an opportunity for the country to actively contribute to advancing important social and cultural issues, coordinating the Committee’s activities, bringing the positions of the parliaments of member states closer together, and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Holding the meeting in Tajikistan is a continuation of the active participation of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan in the activities of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. It is aimed at strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue, expanding cooperation among Asian countries, and jointly addressing important social, cultural, and humanitarian issues.
The Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) is one of the important institutions of inter-parliamentary cooperation in Asia, bringing together the parliaments of member states to promote dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding, and discuss issues of common interest.
The Assembly’s activities are aimed at expanding inter-parliamentary ties, promoting peace and stability, developing political, economic, social, and cultural cooperation, and facilitating the exchange of legislative experience among member states.
The Assembly holds plenary sessions, meetings of standing committees, and other inter-parliamentary events to consider issues of regional and international significance.
Through the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Tajikistan takes an active part in the activities of the Assembly and regards parliamentary diplomacy as one of the effective instruments for strengthening trust, mutual understanding, and friendly relations among Asian countries.
The Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly is one of the key bodies of the Assembly and considers a wide range of social, cultural, and humanitarian issues affecting Asian countries. The Committee’s activities cover issues related to the preservation of cultural diversity and heritage, human development, healthcare, women’s participation in parliamentary activities, the rights and interests of children and youth, interfaith dialogue, tourism, and other issues of social and cultural importance.
During the Republic of Tajikistan’s chairmanship in 2026–2027, strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation in these areas, exchanging legislative experience, and seeking common approaches to addressing pressing social and cultural issues will be among the important areas of the Committee’s activities.
Holding the meeting in Dushanbe during Tajikistan’s chairmanship of the Standing Committee provides an opportunity to further strengthen the role of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting mutual understanding, trust, and constructive cooperation among Asian countries.
It is particularly symbolic that, in 2026, Dushanbe has been declared the Cultural Capital of Asia. The selection of the country’s capital as the venue for such a high-level gathering is clear evidence of the international community’s growing recognition of the peaceful, constructive, and forward-looking policy pursued by the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, as well as of the Republic of Tajikistan’s steadfast position in strengthening dialogue, mutual understanding, and mutually beneficial cooperation among Asian states.
In this regard, holding the aforementioned international event at a high organizational and protocol level is of particular state importance.
