Tajik-Kyrgyz Border, Sughd Region
On 30 September, Kaha Imnadze, SRSG for Central Asia and Head of UNRCCA, visited areas along the Tajik–Kyrgyz border in Tajikistan’s Sughd region. The visit provided an opportunity to observe progress in implementing the bilateral border agreement and discuss with local authorities, border officials and civil society how improved cross-border relations are translating into changes in communities’ daily lives.
In Jabbor Rasulov district, the SRSG visited a project site supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) addressing climate and environmental risks in Central Asia. He met with community members and civil society representatives involved in implementation, who demonstrated how the project helps reduce climate-related pressures on local livelihoods and strengthen communities’ capacity to adapt. They also illustrated the potential for environmental cooperation to build trust through practical responses to common concerns.
In Isfara, SRSG Imnadze met with Mayor Sharifjon Jumazoda, who briefed him on the implementation of the border agreement and ongoing demarcation. The Mayor reported improved relations and regular communication with counterparts in Kyrgyzstan, enabling emerging issues to be addressed promptly through direct contact. He also noted a gradual but steady recovery in cross-border trade and expanding opportunities for local cooperation.
The SRSG subsequently visited the Khojai Alo and Vorukh section of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. He observed ongoing demarcation and infrastructure construction and received briefings on the pace of work. Discussions with Tajik border officials highlighted regular coordination with their Kyrgyz counterparts to manage practical issues as implementation advances. Interlocutors also reported improving relations between communities on the two sides of the border.
SRSG Imnadze welcomed the progress in implementing the border agreement and the constructive engagement between Tajik and Kyrgyz authorities. He emphasized that sustained attention to the concerns of border communities and prompt resolution of emerging differences would be essential to consolidating these achievements. He reaffirmed UNRCCA’s commitment to supporting dialogue and confidence-building as the two countries advance from border settlement to closer cooperation.
