DUSHANBE, 13.07.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – On the evening of July 13, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

President Emomali Rahmon once again congratulated Guterres on his re-election as the UN Secretary-General and stressed that Tajikistan attaches paramount importance to the development and expansion of its relations with this comprehensive multilateral structure.

He also expressed his confidence that the UN will continue to put effort to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and other resolutions of the UN General Assembly, and will respond appropriately and effectively to counteract modern threats and challenges.

President Emomali Rahmon recalled the valuable contribution of Tajikistan to the solution of actual global issues, including in the field of water resources, and noted the latest initiative of Tajikistan to declare 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Protection and set the date for the World Glacier Day, as well as the establishment of a Special International Glaciers Protection Fund.

The UN Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the leading and key role of Tajikistan in solving global issues, especially water problem and actual security issues, and noted the full support of the UN, its institutions and specialized structures in this area.

The officials also paid special attention to the current political and military situation in Afghanistan and expressed concern over the escalation of the conflict. They noted the importance of comprehensive assistance in the practical launch of the inter-Afghan negotiation process.

In this regard, they emphasized the importance of continuing close coordination between stakeholders in this area.

Following the conversation, President Emomali Rahmon invited Guterres to attend the jubilee meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization which will be held in September this year in Dushanbe.