Dushanbe, September 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: President of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon, met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) anniversary summit, with the two sides discussing key international and regional issues.
At the outset of the meeting, President Rahmon expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary-General for sending congratulations on the adoption of the UN resolution declaring the “Decade of Strengthening Peace for Future Generations” and for the United Nations’ continued support for Tajikistan’s international initiatives.
President Rahmon emphasized that achieving the objectives of the decade would contribute to further strengthening peace and stability at the international level.
Secretary-General Guterres praised Tajikistan’s leadership in addressing major global challenges, particularly water and glacier-related issues.
He noted that, largely due to Tajikistan’s efforts, water had become a central issue on the international agenda and highlighted the country’s leading role in advancing the global agenda on glaciers.
Guterres said the adoption of the resolution provided a favourable foundation for continuing efforts toward reform of the United Nations while placing greater emphasis on the future, particularly younger generations.
The UN Secretary-General reaffirmed the organization’s support for Tajikistan’s initiatives and expressed readiness to continue assisting the Tajik Government in the country’s development efforts.
He also recalled his previous visits to Tajikistan, describing them as among the most memorable periods of his career and praising the country’s hospitality, people and development potential.
President Rahmon, in turn, welcomed the UN leadership’s efforts to advance the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, restore trust, resolve disagreements and conflicts, address the consequences of climate change, prevent biodiversity loss and improve the socio-economic conditions of countries.
The importance of effectively utilizing emerging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals was also emphasized.
President Rahmon said Tajikistan had taken these objectives into account when proposing a draft UN resolution on the “Role of Artificial Intelligence in Creating New Opportunities for Sustainable Development in Central Asia.”
The two sides also discussed climate change, the rapid melting of glaciers, declining water resources and increasing risks from natural disasters, which were identified as among the major challenges facing the international community.
President Rahmon highlighted Tajikistan’s continued efforts to draw greater international attention to strengthening cooperation on water and climate issues within the framework of the “Dushanbe Water Process.”
Referring to Tajikistan’s further initiatives in this area, including the planned United Nations Water Conference in Dushanbe in 2028, President Rahmon proposed establishing a “Dushanbe Water Framework” as a strategic guiding mechanism.
The meeting also covered other regional and international issues of mutual interest.
