Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament (Majlisi Oli) has ratified two agreements signed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  The agreements have been presented to lawmakers by the Minister of Finance Fayziddin Qahhorzoda.

A regular session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, took place on December 19, 

Presenting an agreement between the Government of Tajikistan and the ADB on the National Disaster Risk Management Project to lawmakers, Qahhorzoda noted that the ADB would provide a US$10 million grant to help Tajikistan prepare and respond to natural hazards and climate change, and reduce the impact of disasters on the people.

This project supports the government’s efforts to mainstream disaster risk management in development planning. It will implement disaster risk modeling as well as prepare national hazard and disaster risk maps and inventory of assets at risk.  The project will also prepare an inventory of glaciers, the minister said.  

Speaking on a grant agreement between Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank on the Water Resources Management in the Panj River Basin, Qahhorzoda noted that an 11-story apartment building for Tajik weather forecasters would be built in Dushanbe’s neighborhood 104 and equipment for early warning system would be bought in the framework of the project. 

The Asian Development Bank will provide an US$11.5 million grant for implementation of this project, the minister added. 

Tajik MPs voted unanimously for ratification of these agreements.  

ADB and Tajikistan’s development partnership, which began in 1998, has restored and built the country’s new transport and energy infrastructure, supported social development, expanded agricultural production, and improved regional cooperation and trade.  To date, ADB has approved over $1.6 billion in grants, concessional loans, and technical assistance to the country.