On 21 October 2026, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, signed the Environmental Code of the Republic of Tajikistan, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s environmental legislation and advancing sustainable development.
The Tajikistan Branch of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) implemented the project to develop the Environmental Code under the World Bank-funded RESILAND Tajikistan programme, in close cooperation with the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The project provided technical expertise and organizational support for the preparation of the Code, bringing together national experience, international expertise and stakeholder contributions. The process was led by the Committee for Environmental Protection, with the participation of government institutions, legal and environmental specialists, academia and development partners.
CAREC’s Tajikistan Branch coordinated national and international experts, supported the review of existing environmental legislation and facilitated working meetings, stakeholder consultations and interagency discussions. The work addressed gaps and inconsistencies in the legal framework and drew on international experience to support a more coherent approach to environmental governance.
The project also focused on practical implementation. Activities included preparing an implementation action plan, developing monitoring and evaluation approaches, formulating institutional recommendations and delivering training for government officials, legal professionals and other stakeholders.
National consultations held in Dushanbe on 18 December 2025 formed an important part of this process. Organized by the Committee with implementation support from CAREC’s Tajikistan Branch, the consultations brought together representatives of parliament, government agencies, development partners and civil society. Their contributions helped refine the draft and inform discussions on its application.
What does the Environmental Code mean for Tajikistan?
The Code establishes a more integrated legal framework for environmental protection, the sustainable use of natural resources and the prevention of environmental harm. It addresses environmental monitoring, climate change, ecosystem conservation, access to environmental information and public participation.
For communities, these issues directly concern air and water quality, health and opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their environment. For businesses, the Code provides a more systematic framework of environmental requirements. For public institutions, it supports more coordinated environmental management.
The development of the Code also contributes to the long-term objectives of RESILAND Tajikistan. Landscape restoration and sustainable natural resource management depend on coherent legislation and effective implementation mechanisms. Through this project, CAREC’s Tajikistan Branch helped connect these practical priorities with improvements to the national legal framework.
The adoption of the Environmental Code reflects the collective efforts of national institutions, experts and development partners. CAREC’s Tajikistan Branch is proud to have contributed to this process and expresses its appreciation to the Committee for Environmental Protection, the World Bank, the Center for Implementation of the Investment projects, the working group and all participating partners.
The next essential step is to translate the Code’s provisions into practice, delivering lasting benefits for the people and environment of Tajikistan.
Tajikistan Branch of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)
Zebuniso Muminzoda
Country Director in Tajikistan tajikistan@carececo.org