Tajikistan is undergoing a strategic transformation as it moves toward a “green” economy, an ambitious shift that carries major economic, social, and environmental implications for the country’s future. In this transition, the European Union (EU) plays a vital role, offering experience, investment, and modern green infrastructure to support and strengthen Tajikistan’s long-term development goals.
In 2022, the Government of Tajikistan approved the Green Economy Development Strategy for 2023–2037, marking a decisive step toward sustainable development. The strategy’s implementation, estimated at 21.6 billion somoni, will be largely supported by development partners and the private sector. Its key objectives include institutional reforms, efficient use of natural resources, adoption of innovative technologies, integration of environmental priorities into economic planning, and the expansion of international cooperation.
Notably, the strategy is divided into practical phases: during 2023–2028, several measures focus on raising public awareness of the green economy, fostering an “economic and environmental” mindset, and establishing green standards in regulatory documents. In subsequent years, the strategy envisions applying green economy principles across industry, agriculture, transport, and other sectors, ultimately aiming for sustainable economic development and continuous green investment during 2035–2037.
Specific steps are also planned for the strategy’s implementation: for 2026–2028, a new action plan has been adopted targeting structural reforms of state bodies, efficient resource use, and deployment of green technologies. Adopting a green economy strategy in Tajikistan is not only an environmental goal but also an economic development path. Through effective use of water resources (hydropower) and green technologies, the country can develop clean and sustainable energy.
This provides an excellent opportunity for Tajikistan to enhance energy security and reduce the regional impacts of climate change. At the same time, given Tajikistan’s abundant hydropower resources, their use must align with environmental protection strategies to minimize ecosystem losses and climate risks. Researchers at the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan emphasize that the protection of glaciers and mountain waters should be a key part of the “green economy” policy.
The EU, as a development partner in Tajikistan, has already demonstrated that “green” cooperation can yield tangible results. A prominent example is the Sebzor hydropower plant, supported under the “Global Gateway” strategy. On June 26, 2025, the EU, KfW, and other partners provided equipment and funding to utilize clean energy in a remote region of Tajikistan. With a capacity of 11 MW, the plant can produce over 76 million kWh of renewable electricity annually and prevent approximately 45,000 tons of CO₂ emissions each year, demonstrating the strategy’s real-world impact.
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In addition to the plant, the EU has provided significant grants to modernize electricity networks, likely reducing energy losses and improving transmission efficiency, which is crucial for any clean and sustainable economy.
To implement the strategy, Tajikistan requires substantial green investments, which the EU, development partners, and the private sector can provide. One mechanism for such cooperation is the coordination of green projects and mobilization of financing. In this context, in 2025, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and other state bodies established a working group with international experts to develop a green project taxonomy.
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This taxonomy serves as a standard guide to identify genuinely “green” projects eligible for green investment. These initiatives indicate that the strategy is being implemented not only at the institutional level but also at financial and international levels, enhancing the potential for attracting green investments to the country’s economy.
Tajikistan’s transition to a green economy is not merely an environmental process; it is a national strategic investment. Despite being a developing economy, Tajikistan possesses unique natural and energy resources that could make it a potential green economy power in the region. It ranks eighth globally in hydropower potential, with a total exploitable capacity of 527 billion kWh per year. However, as international economic studies note, only 4–6% of this potential is currently utilized, leaving significant room for green energy development compared to many regional countries.
With this capacity, Tajikistan can supply renewable energy not only domestically but also to neighboring countries. Nevertheless, serious challenges exist: high losses in energy networks (up to 28% according to OECD), the impact of climate change on water cycles, and the need to modernize infrastructure. In this context, cooperation with the EU becomes particularly important. Over the past decade, the EU has become one of Tajikistan’s strategic partners. Their cooperation is not only political and economic but also practical and technological. EU projects demonstrate that this partnership goes beyond slogans into concrete action.
The EU has also launched several major projects in sustainable agriculture, including reforms in the cotton value chain aimed at reducing pesticide use, saving water, and improving product quality to meet European standards. Moreover, the EU promotes information and public awareness initiatives. The SECCA program (Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia), running from 2022 to 2026, aims to strengthen the political, technical, and regulatory foundations for a transition to clean energy in the region.
Why Can Tajikistan Become the Region’s Green Hub?
Analysts consider Tajikistan a “key player” in Central Asia’s green economy, and this is supported by several facts:
-The cleanliness of the country’s energy production is among the highest globally.
-The unused hydropower capacity exceeds that of many other countries.
-Tajikistan officially aims to achieve a fully “green” economy by 2037 and 100% electricity from renewable sources by 2032.
European investment, particularly in network modernization and new energy sources, allows Tajikistan to diversify from over-reliance on hydropower and incorporate solar and wind energy. Given the high levels of solar radiation across much of Tajikistan, the country could also become a notable player in regional solar energy. The current phase represents a historic opportunity for Tajikistan.
The country already has the essential foundation for a green economy: natural resources, young professionals, and strategic government targets. The European Union contributes not only expertise, high standards, and clean technologies but also funding and long-term partnership guarantees. Thus, the development of a green economy in Tajikistan is not only about energy.
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It is a pathway to social stability, rural development, poverty reduction, attracting international investment, and improving the country’s geo-economic position. Furthermore, in an era of intensifying climate change, Tajikistan could become an exemplary regional model: a country with an almost “carbon-free” economy, which, with European support, can become one of Central Asia’s new green hubs.
Gulhayo M. Madimarova
Gulhayo M. Madimarova is a Senior Research Fellow in the European Department at the Institute for the Study of Asian and European Countries, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (NAST).
