DUSHANBE, June 21, 2016, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan should continue its efforts to improve its socio-economic development, diversification and competitiveness over the next 15 years, and development partners stand ready to support these efforts - the Development Coordination Council (DCC), announced today at the 2016 meeting of the National Development Council chaired by the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.

According to the DCC, the National Development Council meeting marked the end of the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2015 and the Tajikistan Living Standards Improvement Strategy (LSIS) 2013-2015 and the start of the new National Development Strategy 2016-2030 and the Medium-term Development Strategy 2016-2020.

Members of the DCC, consisting of 27 multilateral, bilateral, and UN based organizations commended the Government of Tajikistan for aligning its National Development Strategy to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  This includes equal access for girls and boys to quality education, taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

The DCC reportedly appreciated the Government’s efforts towards achieving the country’s strategic priorities, namely improving energy supply and transport connectivity, ensuring food security, improving public administration, developing the private sector and developing human resources.  However, they also emphasized that challenges remain, in particular the creation of sustainable jobs for its growing population, the remaining winter energy deficits, the impacts of climate change, as well as improved nutrition and education for its young population.

The development partners reaffirmed their commitment to support Tajikistan to achieve its development goals and priorities to be reflected in the next Medium-term Development Strategy 2016-2020.