On January 21, 2026, the Economic Forum of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, under the theme "International Year of Peace and Confidence: Regional Connectivity for Sustainable Development." The Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon Safarali, participated in the opening ceremony via videoconference and addressed the forum.
Referring to the results of the SPECA Heads of State Meeting held in November 2023 in Baku, Abdurahmonzoda A. S. noted the importance of implementing initiatives to ensure the unimpeded movement of agricultural products, develop e-commerce, improve transport infrastructure, and rationally use water resources. It was emphasized that the effective implementation of these measures can contribute to strengthening regional integration and inclusive economic development.
Abdurahmonzoda A. S. noted that SPECA member countries account for over 35 percent of Tajikistan's foreign trade turnover, but that these opportunities are not yet fully utilized. In this context, developing transport connectivity was recognized as a priority, with a particular emphasis on improving multi-vector corridors, creating modern logistics centers, and digitalizing transport procedures.
In the energy sector, it was emphasized that Tajikistan plays a key role in ensuring the development of green energy and increasing renewable energy generation capacity.
It should be noted that the SPECA Economic Forum is one of the Programme’s main events and is held annually in one of the countries of the region. In 2024, Tajikistan hosted the Forum.
