UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt Atia Waris, following an 11-day visit to Tajikistan, noted the country’s economic growth but pointed to the need to create jobs, develop production, and expand opportunities for youth and women.
UN Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights Atia Waris completed her official visit to Tajikistan and presented preliminary findings.
During her visit from August 17 to 28, she visited Dushanbe and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, where she studied issues of poverty, public finances, debt obligations, and their impact on human rights. She held meetings with representatives of state bodies, the banking and financial sector, business, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector.
Economic growth exists, but new jobs are needed
Waris noted that Tajikistan has achieved significant economic growth and poverty reduction. However, according to her, the country needs to transform these achievements into the creation of decent employment, improvement of public services, and expansion of opportunities for women and youth.
She emphasized that the current stage of development requires economic diversification, job creation, and a stronger link between economic policy and the realization of human rights.
Dependence on migration and imports remains a challenge
The UN expert noted that Tajikistan’s economy continues to depend on labor migration, remittances, and imports.
According to her, remittances play an important role in supporting families, domestic consumption, and poverty reduction, but cannot replace the creation of productive jobs within the country.
Waris called for the development of agriculture and food processing, sustainable tourism, value chains in the mineral resources sector, and the digital economy. She also noted the need to invest in education and vocational training for youth and women.
The UN expert noted the need to expand social services, including childcare support, so that women can participate more actively in the economy. She also emphasized the importance of developing financial and tax literacy, as well as business management skills.
Large projects must be economically justified
The UN expert emphasized the importance of infrastructure projects, including the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station, for meeting the country’s internal electricity needs, developing exports, and promoting regional cooperation.
At the same time, she noted that large projects should be accompanied by transparent cost-benefit analysis, responsible financing, and public participation.
One of the important issues that Waris drew attention to was the country’s transition to a new stage of financing.
According to her, Tajikistan is in a period when access to grants from international organizations is ending, and in the future, concessional loans will become the main financing instrument. This means that each new project must be accompanied by cost-benefit analysis and a clear understanding of how borrowed funds will be repaid.
Greater transparency in public finances is needed
Assessing the situation from the perspective of financial accountability, Waris called for increased transparency and fairness in making state financial decisions.
She stated that citizens should have access to clear information about budgets, expenditures, debts, and project management, as well as the opportunity to participate in discussions of decisions that affect their lives.
The expert also proposed strengthening public consultations in budget planning and ensuring that state structures have the necessary resources and authority.
Atia Waris’s full report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2027. Preliminary findings will be published after the document is translated, and the final version will become available later.
