Investment Round Table for Sustainable Development
On June 16, 2025, the Embassy of Tajikistan in Brussels organized a high-level round table focusing on environmental sustainability and green investment in Tajikistan. The event attracted notable participants from the European Union, environmental policy experts, and business leaders, all eager to explore opportunities for collaboration in green energy, afforestation, and sustainable development.
Among the keynote speakers were:
- H.E. Mr. Muzaffar Huseinzoda, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Belgium and Head of Tajikistan’s Permanent Representation to the European Union
- H.E. Mr. Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
- H.E. Ms. Marilyn Josefson, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the European Council
- Mr. Davor Percan, Head of Unit for Regional and Bilateral Environmental Cooperation, DG Environment, European Commission
- Mr. Klaus Van Dyck, Honorary Consul of Tajikistan in Belgium
Their speeches emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability in Central Asia, the urgent need to attract green investment into Tajikistan, and the value of EU-Tajik cooperation in climate action.
The session featured a focused presentation on the “Forestry Nurseries Project for Tajikistan,” led by Prof. Dr. Stjepan Mikac (University of Zagreb) and Kacper Skórka, highlighting reforestation efforts and biodiversity protection as key components of Tajikistan’s climate strategy.
The round table brought together experts such as:
- Prof. Dr. Michel de Kemmeter, CEO, Club of Brussels
- Ms. Shahlo Tohirova, European Microfinance Programme Fellow, ULB
- Mr. Juan Manuel Revuelta Pérez, CEO, FINNOVA
- Ms. Diana Pezzella, Blended Finance and Technical Assistance Specialist at CDP, representing JEFIC (Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation)
Their interventions addressed the intersection of green finance, blended funding mechanisms, and innovation in development financing tailored to Tajikistan’s context.
Opening the session, Ambassador Muzaffar Huseinzoda framed the conversation around regional geopolitical shifts, highlighting the growing significance of Central Asian nations in global trade and politics.
“Today we see the continuation of our engagement and our reflection on how we would like to see the new and unfolding avenues of our collaboration,” he stated. He underscored the strategic importance of Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan, as a pivotal hub for energy diversification and trade routes, offering valuable opportunities for European partnerships.
With the EU seeking new energy sources and sustainable investment opportunities, Tajikistan’s hydropower potential, afforestation projects, and green economy framework present exciting avenues for economic and environmental cooperation.
“It necessitates concerted efforts to envisage the strategic pivot to the region,” he explained, noting that stronger EU-Central Asia ties could redefine Europe’s geopolitical footprint while fostering economic stability and environmental resilience.
A key focal point of the event was Minister Bahodur Sheralizoda’s speech, detailing Tajikistan’s environmental sustainability initiatives and its ambitious National Greening Program, which aims to plant two billion trees by 2040.
“Tajikistan is a landlocked mountainous country with 93% of its land covered by mountains. We are the water tower of Central Asia, with 60% of the region’s water resources originating from our glaciers,” he emphasized, stressing the country’s environmental responsibility in preserving natural ecosystems while fostering sustainable development.
Tajikistan has taken bold steps in climate action, including hosting the first International High-Level Conference on Glacier Preservation (May 29–31, 2025)—a key milestone in environmental diplomacy.
“A UN resolution was adopted to declare 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation,” Minister Sheralizoda announced, highlighting global efforts to mitigate climate risks.
Additionally, Tajikistan boasts one of the lowest GHG emissions per capita globally, ranking 130th in emissions. Despite this, the country remains firmly committed to expanding its hydroelectric capacity, with more than 92% of its energy coming from hydroelectric sources.
“We intend to increase our hydroelectric capacity through projects like the Rabun Hydropower Plant, which will add 3,700 megawatts to our energy system,” he explained, stressing clean energy exports to neighboring countries through Central Asia’s unified grid and CASA-1000.
Among Tajikistan’s most ambitious environmental projects is the National Greening Program, a long-term initiative to plant two billion trees by 2040 to enhance forest coverage, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Minister Sheralizoda highlighted the strategic goals of the program:
- Increasing forest coverage to counter climate change.
- Combating dust storms and enhancing ecological balance.
- Economic co-benefits, allowing local communities to harvest select tree varieties.
- Satellite monitoring to track tree survival rates.
“Planting the tree is the easy part—what follows in the next two to three years is crucial,” he stressed. Tajikistan has already launched a pilot satellite monitoring system in the capital region to track planted trees, assess growth rates, and improve afforestation efficiency.
Additionally, the initiative is tailored to Tajikistan’s six climatic zones, ensuring that tree varieties are suitable for diverse altitudes and ecosystems.
“Our Ministry has already begun cultivating nurseries across 70 hectares, working closely with scientific institutions to select resilient local species,” he explained, underlining the importance of technical cooperation in afforestation strategies.
A crucial aspect of Tajikistan’s sustainability efforts is mobilizing financial resources to implement long-term environmental programs.
The main sources of funding include:
- Government green budgeting, with annual allocations for greening projects.
- Private sector engagement, where businesses establish green belts around industrial plants.
- International funding, such as the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and REDD+ initiatives.
“We are engaging with GEF on how to access star funding and working with UNFCCC’s REDD+ initiative to secure financial incentives for carbon reduction,” he explained.
Minister Sheralizoda emphasized innovative irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, which reduces water consumption while ensuring efficiency, particularly in Tajikistan’s hot summers.
“For long-term growth, fenced protection and irrigation are key,” he added, reinforcing efforts to scale pilot programs nationwide for maximum impact.
Adding a European perspective, Marilyn Josefson reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to climate resilience and green infrastructure in Tajikistan.
“Tajikistan sets an example not only in Central Asia but also in the European context. These are not just facts; they are the foundation for a sustainable future,” she stated.
She acknowledged Tajikistan’s severe vulnerability to climate change, citing alarming data that one-third of the country’s glaciers have disappeared since 1930, posing serious risks to water security, agriculture, and energy supply.
“This is why the European Union has placed environmental sustainability at the center of its partnership with Tajikistan,” she affirmed, detailing key EU-backed initiatives such as EU for Climate, WECOP, and Global Gateway—a €300 billion investment fund aimed at modernizing infrastructure and creating green jobs.
Josefson emphasized the transformative impact of hydropower projects, particularly the Ragoon Hydropower Plant, a flagship regional project identified under the EU Global Strategy.
“It is not just a national energy project but a regional resource management system that enhances water security and shared opportunities,” she explained.
She cited Tajikistan’s growing leadership in global climate diplomacy, including the Dushanbe Water Process, the International Decade for Water Action, and the International Year of Glacier Preservation, reinforcing Tajikistan’s role as a regional and international environmental leader.
However, she cautioned that public financing alone cannot meet Tajikistan’s climate adaptation goals, estimating that $9 billion in investments will be required by 2030.
“We must harness public-private partnerships, blended finance, and impact investments to close this gap,” she urged, stressing the need for transparent governance and predictable regulation to foster a sustainable investment environment.
She closed her remarks with an inspiring statement:
“Climate emergency is a race that we are losing, but it is a race we can win—if we act boldly, collaboratively, and with urgency,” quoting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The EU stands not just as a donor but as a partner, investor, and advocate for Tajikistan’s green transformation. Together, we can turn today’s environmental challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.”
The event underscored the need for sustained EU-Tajikistan collaboration, with European experts and industry leaders contributing perspectives on financing sustainability efforts.
Tajikistan’s commitment to green infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental resilience places it at the forefront of sustainable development in Central Asia. As it continues its green transition, investment-driven partnerships with the EU will play a pivotal role in shaping climate policy and economic cooperation in the region.
This round table was not merely a discussion—it set the foundations for transformative action in green investment and climate resilience.
Participants reaffirmed the urgent need for innovative financing models and regulatory frameworks that support climate action, clean energy transition, and resilient infrastructure. The round table concluded with a shared commitment to transform environmental challenges into economic and social opportunities, strengthening the EU–Tajikistan green partnership.
The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session and a networking reception, offering space for future partnerships to emerge.
