Dushanbe, 30 September 2025 – Tajikistan marked an important milestone in its sustainability journey by hosting its first parliamentary-led roundtable on the circular economy (CE) under the theme “Parliament and Circular Economy in Tajikistan – Legislative Foundations and Green Development”. The event, held at the Serena Hotel in Dushanbe, brought together members of Parliament, government ministries, private sector representatives, academia, civil society, and international partners. It was co-organised by the Parliament of Tajikistan, the EU Delegation, and the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component (PSC), and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).
Opening the discussions, Mr. Aziz Qodir Giyozoda, Deputy Chairperson of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, stressed that the circular economy is vital for addressing Tajikistan’s pressing environmental challenges, from waste management to climate impacts. He cited President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon’s directive to develop a National Waste Management Strategy to 2035, noting the country generates over two million tonnes of waste annually. He outlined parliamentary priorities to draft a framework on the circular economy, secure targeted budgets, and establish a multi-stakeholder platform.
From the EU side, Ms. Karine Olislagers of the Delegation described CE as a pathway to prosperity and resilience, highlighting its potential to reduce waste, create jobs, and boost efficiency in sectors such as agriculture, construction, textiles, and tourism. She reaffirmed EU support through SWITCH-Asia and the Global Gateway strategy, calling for CE principles to be embedded in the new Ecological Code and National Development Strategy (NDS) 2026–2030.
Dr. Zinaida Fadeeva, Team Leader of SWITCH-Asia PSC, echoed this, presenting SWITCH-Asia’s technical support in CE policy dialogues, climate ambition, tourism foresight, and energy assessments, and urging Parliament to adopt tools such as extended producer responsibility and green procurement.
Parliamentarians also shared perspectives. Mr. Amirzoda Orif Hamid, Chairman of the Environmental Commission, underscored the urgency of CE to tackle climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, proposing a framework CE law up to 2040, incentives for private sector investment, CE education and training, and stronger institutional coordination. Ms. Malika Bayon Davlatzoda, Head of the Department for Green Economy Development of the Ministry of Economy Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, stressed that CE is embedded in Tajikistan’s Green Economy Strategy 2023–2027 and national programmes up to 2040, focusing on renewable energy, waste management, green agriculture, and construction.
From the private sector and international partners, Mr. Zafar Norov (ACTED) presented findings from the SWITCH-Asia Technical Advisory on foresight for tourism and food systems, which uses scenario-building to guide sustainable tourism to 2040. Recommendations include eco-certification, zero-waste practices, renewable energy in hospitality, tax incentives, green skills training, and EV infrastructure – measures that could help Tajikistan become a regional model for circular tourism.
In her closing reflections, CAREC’s Zebuniso Muminzoda highlighted circular economy as central to Tajikistan’s development, driving competitiveness, jobs, and reduced import dependence. She stressed Parliament’s leadership through laws, financing, and dialogue platforms, the importance of regional cooperation, and tourism’s strong CE potential via eco-tourism and sustainable services.
In the second session, participants broke into working groups to assess the role of the parliament, infrastructure, and the private sector in advancing CE. Discussions highlighted Tajikistan’s resource potential, public–private partnership opportunities, and international grants, but also noted significant gaps in waste management infrastructure, recycling capacity, and CE-related skills. Proposals included establishing modern recycling plants, introducing tax and customs incentives, encouraging private sector participation in waste treatment, and integrating CE education and training into universities.
The roundtable agreed on clear next steps:
- Developing a legislative framework on circular economy
- Embedding CE principles in the Ecological Code and NDS 2026–2030
- Creating a national dialogue platform
- Preparing Tajikistan’s contribution to the upcoming Almaty regional dialogue in October.
The EU, SWITCH-Asia, and CAREC reaffirmed their commitment to support Tajikistan in turning today’s dialogue into tomorrow’s legislation, investment, and action.
