On Feb. 25, 2026, the Republic of Tajikistan, in cooperation with the State of Qatar and with the support of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, held a side event during the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The event brought together representatives of Human Rights Council member states, international and regional organizations, and experts.

Speakers included Sharaf Sheralizoda, permanent representative of Tajikistan to the U.N. Office and other international organizations in Geneva; the permanent representative of Qatar; Tomas Lamanauskas, deputy secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union; Hakim Ismoilzod, first deputy director of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the president of Tajikistan, who delivered a video message; representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; the Qatar Debate Centre; and Abdulaziz Suliman Alnasser, head of the GCC permanent delegation.

In his remarks, Sheralizoda said that under the policies of President Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan is advancing national, regional and international initiatives on digital development, artificial intelligence and institutional reform.

He noted that the intersection of artificial intelligence, youth and human rights presents both significant opportunities and serious challenges. He added that AI is increasingly present in education, health care, public administration, employment, services and digital communication platforms, and that its effective use for the benefit of individuals and societal progress is a key task.