OSCE PA delegation at the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre on 29 April 2025DUSHANBE, 30 April 2025 – A delegation of OSCE parliamentarians headed by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma (Finland) concluded a three-day visit to Tajikistan today with the objective to better understand the important mandate and work of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) and to interact with key stakeholders from government, parliament, the international community and civil society.
The delegation of 15 members of parliament from 14 countries was briefed by POiD Deputy Head Tatiana Turcan and staff on the activities of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, including projects related to arms control, counter-terrorism, border management, disaster risk reduction, good governance, trafficking in human beings, media freedom and gender equality.
The delegation also visited two other key projects in the politico-military field: the Border Management Staff College (BMSC) which acts as a centre of excellence for the delivery of expertise and best practices in border management and security for the whole OSCE region; and the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre, established with the support of the OSCE POiD, which supports Central Asian OSCE States in addressing the challenges and complex issues posed by explosive hazards.
“This visit provided an opportunity to showcase and increase the understanding of the OSCE PA members of the OSCE POiD’s day-to-day operations, discuss challenges and confirm to our beneficiaries the OSCE’s readiness to further support Tajikistan in implementing its OSCE commitments in all three dimensions of security,” Turcan stated.
During the visit, President Kauma was received by President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and discussed strategic priorities of Tajikistan’s co-operation with the OSCE and the regional security agenda.
First Deputy Speaker Shermuhammad Shohiyon and President Pia Kauma in Dushanbe on 29 April 202
“Tajikistan’s strategic location, including its approximately 1,400-kilometre-long border with Afghanistan, makes it a key player in the OSCE’s security architecture. This visit enabled us to understand how vital it is that we continue to support the OSCE in its endeavours to assist the authorities of the country to address transnational threats, build resilient institutions, and promote sustainable development,” said President Kauma.
The high-level OSCE PA delegation also held meetings with key parliament and government officials including Shermuhammad Shohiyon, the First Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) of the Supreme Assembly, and members of the Assembly of Representatives, as well as Foreign Minister Sirodjiddin Muhriddin. The official interlocutors reaffirmed their commitment to OSCE principles and expressed their appreciation for the constructive co-operation with the Organization.
Visit to the Nizhniy Pyanj border crossing checkpoint between Tajikistan and Afghanistan on 30 April 2025Commander of the Border Troops Major-General Rajabzoda Murodali Rajab also briefed President Kauma on Tajikistan’s regional security challenges and threats related to border issues as well as its strategies to counter these. Kauma and the delegation also had the opportunity to witness firsthand the work of the border troops in the “Nizhniy Pyanj” border crossing checkpoint with Afghanistan and learn how the OSCE is strengthening the border capacities of Tajikistan.
The delegation also engaged with representatives of the international community and civil society in Tajikistan, including organizations working on women’s rights, human rights, persons with disabilities, mine victim assistance, youth engagement, and environmental protection. These exchanges provided valuable insights into the challenges facing civil society and how OSCE support contributes to advancing rights, empowerment, and resilience at the community level.
The OSCE PA delegation included two Vice-Presidents as well as the Assembly’s Special Representative on Central Asia Farah Karimi (Netherlands), and parliamentarians from Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.
This was the second in a series of OSCE PA visits to countries hosting an OSCE field operation, following up on the visit to the OSCE Mission in Serbia in October 2024.
