The Asian Development Bank (ADB) intends to support Tajikistan in the implementation of the Rogun hydroelectric power station (HPP) construction project in 2025. This was stated by the new ADB country director in the republic, Ko Sakamoto, at a meeting with journalists on February 25. He emphasized that the project is important not only for achieving the energy independence of Tajikistan, but also for ensuring sustainable development of the entire region, including in the context of the fight against climate change.
Sakamoto said that ADB was invited to participate in a consortium of international financial organizations involved in the financing and implementation of the Rogun hydroelectric power station project. As part of this cooperation, the Government of Tajikistan has made a request for financial assistance in the amount of approximately US$ 500 million, and the request is currently under consideration. He added that ADB will continue to support the project and will be kept informed of the progress of negotiations and agreements reached.
Last year, ADB provided US$220 million in assistance to Tajikistan. These funds were used to finance six new projects in areas such as agriculture, energy, health, public administration and transport.
Ko Sakamoto also outlined three main areas for further ADB cooperation with Tajikistan in 2025. Firstly, the development of a new partnership strategy for 2026-2030. This document will define cooperation priorities for a five-year period, taking into account the national priorities and development objectives of Tajikistan. Work on the new strategy is under way as the current strategy nears completion.
Second, ADB will continue to support efforts to preserve glaciers and combat climate change. Ko Sakamoto recalled that 2025 has been declared the international year of glacier conservation, and with it begins the decade of action of cryospheric sciences, which will last until 2034. ADB actively supports Tajikistan in its leadership role in protecting glaciers and collaborates with countries in the region on projects aimed at increasing resilience to climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Sakamoto stressed that glacier conservation is critical because more than 2 billion people in the region depend on water resources from glaciers. This water is used for drinking, hydropower, agriculture and other uses. An international conference on glacier conservation will be held in Dushanbe at the end of May, and an important climate meeting will be held in Brazil at the end of the year.
Third, ADB plans to launch four new projects in 2025, with approval expected before the end of the year. One of these projects focuses on digital agricultural management and aims to improve food security.
The Asian Development Bank has been cooperating with Tajikistan since 1998. During this period, ADB approved more than 198 projects for Tajikistan totaling over US$2.7 billion, of which more than US$2.2 billion was provided in grants. These projects cover a wide range of areas, including improving transport and energy infrastructure, urban development, supporting health and education, and helping to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
