On October 20, at the Palace of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, met with the heads of delegations of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), who are in Dushanbe to participate in a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government.

President Emomali Rahmon warmly welcomed the guests to Tajikistan and wished them every success in the work of the Council of Heads of Government.

It was emphasised that current global developments underscore the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a platform for constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation.

“We are interested in further strengthening the Organisation’s role in ensuring peace and stability, sustainable development, and an atmosphere of trust across all areas of its activities,” President Emomali Rahmon stated.

The President stressed that Tajikistan has consistently advocated the peaceful settlement of conflicts and the strengthening of the United Nations’ central coordinating role.

In this context, it was noted that Tajikistan’s initiative to proclaim the International Decade of Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations for 2027–2036, which has received the support of the United Nations General Assembly, is consistent with these objectives.

President Emomali Rahmon emphasised that Tajikistan consistently supports strengthening the Organisation’s international standing and increasing the practical impact of its activities.

In this regard, the expansion of trade and investment, the development of transport links, industrial and agro-industrial cooperation, the digital economy, green technologies, and the strengthening of energy and food security were identified as priorities.

“We believe that developing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s relations with the United Nations, other international and regional organisations, and interested states is important,” President Emomali Rahmon noted.

The Council was called upon to facilitate the implementation of decisions adopted at the highest level, primarily in trade, economic, investment, and humanitarian cooperation, through concrete programmes and projects.

The President identified security as a priority and stressed the need to strengthen joint efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, radicalism, cyber threats, drug trafficking, and transnational organised crime.

During his remarks, President Emomali Rahmon also discussed the importance of establishing an SCO Anti-Drug Centre in Dushanbe and implementing the SCO Economic Development Strategy until 2030, adopted at Tajikistan’s initiative.

It was emphasised that Tajikistan would continue implementing reforms aimed at developing strategic sectors of the economy and the private sector, improving the business environment, and introducing digital technologies and innovation.

In this context, the President reaffirmed Tajikistan’s support for expanding cooperation in innovative technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as training highly qualified specialists in these fields.

President Emomali Rahmon also drew the participants’ attention to the importance of developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation and strengthening ties in education, including vocational training for young people and joint educational and academic programmes.

Other topics discussed included adaptation to climate change, environmental and glacier protection, the rational use of water resources, and the continued support of SCO member states for Tajikistan’s international initiatives on water and climate issues.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon reaffirmed that Tajikistan would continue to make a constructive contribution towards achieving shared goals.