The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will continue supporting Tajikistan in the implementation of the Roughen hydropower plant construction project in 2025, the new ADB Country Director for Tajikistan, Mr. Ko Sakamoto, announced during a meeting with reporters in Dushanbe on February 25.  

“We understand that the completion of the construction of the Roughen hydropower plant is a priority for the government of Tajikistan,” he stated.

According to Mr. Sakamoto, this project is crucial not only for Tajikistan’s energy independence but also for the sustainable development of the entire region, including the fight against climate change.

He also mentioned that ADB has been invited to join a consortium of international financial institutions working on financing and implementing the project.  As part of this cooperation, the Tajik government has requested financial assistance of approximately US$500 million, and this matter is currently under consideration.

"ADB will continue to support the project and will share information on the progress of negotiations and agreements as they are concluded," he added.

Last year, ADB’s assistance to Tajikistan amounted to US$220 million.  These funds were directed toward the implementation of six new projects in sectors such as agriculture, energy, healthcare, public administration, and transport.

ADB’s priorities in Tajikistan for 2025

Mr. Ko Sakamoto shared ADB’s plans for 2025, outlining three main areas for continued cooperation with Tajikistan:

1. Development of a new partnership strategy for 2026-2030

One of the main priorities is the development of a new five-year partnership strategy with Tajikistan for the period of 2026 to 2030.  This document will be updated every five years depending on the country’s national priorities and development goals. The current strategy is nearing completion, and work on the new plan has already begun.

2. Glacier conservation and climate change mitigation

The second key area is support for glacier conservation. Ko Sakamoto reminded that 2025 has been declared the International Year for Glacier Conservation and the beginning of the Decade of Cryospheric Sciences, which will last until 2034. ADB is actively supporting Tajikistan in its leadership role in glacier protection and is also working with other countries in the region on projects aimed at improving climate resilience and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

"Glacier conservation is critically important because over 2 billion people in the region rely on the water resources provided by glaciers. This water is essential for drinking, hydropower, agriculture, and other vital sectors," Mr. Sakamoto noted.

An international conference on glacier conservation will be held in Dushanbe at the end of May, and an important climate meeting will take place in Brazil later this year.

3. New projects for 2025

ADB is preparing four new projects for 2025, which are expected to be approved by the end of the year.  One of these projects is focused on digital agricultural management to enhance food security.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998.  For 26 years, ADB has supported a wide range of sectors from strategic road and energy infrastructure to climate and agriculture, health, education, urban development, public sector management, and finance for a total of over $2.7 billion in assistance—including over $2.2 billion in grants.

Established in 1966, the Asian Development Bank is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.