DUSHANBE, March 7, 2023 - During her visit to Tajikistan, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde met with H.E. Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, and reiterated the World Bank's commitment to support the government and the people of Tajikistan, including a strong focus on the country's human capital development, green infrastructure development and enhancing resilience through adaptation to climate change and social protection. In the meeting, Anna Bjerde was joined by the Regional Director for Central Asia Tatiana Proskuryakova, the Regional Director for Infrastructure Charles Cormier and the Country Manager for Tajikistan Ozan Sevimli.
"Human capital investments are of highest priority for the World Bank in Tajikistan, given the country's demographics and ambitious growth objectives," said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Regional Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia. "This year we expect three new projects to be financed focusing on education, health, and social protection to help the country build a more inclusive, resilient economy."
Apart from meeting the President of Tajikistan, members of the cabinet and other government representatives, Ms. Bjerde also visited several World Bank-financed projects in southern Khatlon province.
In Vose district, the World Bank delegation, together with the Minister of Finance of Tajikistan Faiziddin Qahhorzoda, launched a new water supply system, rehabilitated with support from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The "Javoni" water supply system has connected 10,000 residents from three villages to safely managed water services. The project, financed with a $58 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA), is investing in improved water and sanitation services in districts of the southern Khatlon region which have the highest levels of poverty and inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions. With project support, around 400,000 people are expected to gain access to safe drinking water and around 100,000 people, mainly children, will benefit from investments in WASH facilities and hygiene training in schools.
In Danghara, the delegation visited the Khatlon State Medical University, which is among 26 higher education institutions across Tajikistan to receive support from the World Bank-financed Higher Education Project. The University established and equipped four modern labs for medical students to practice their skills, review and update their academic programs, and created an online portal for lectures and other educational resources to be accessible to a wider audience. Students who used to only observe doctors carrying out surgeries in operating rooms can now try out techniques firsthand, building their confidence and better preparing them to care for the public. In total, HEP benefited around 28,000 students with nearly 40 percent of them being female students.
"These investments are just a few examples of how the World Bank is investing in the people of Tajikistan," added Anna Bjerde. "From supporting structural reforms under the newly approved budget support operation, to ensuring that rural communities have access to safe drinking water and schools have improved sanitation, we aim to support Tajikistan's efforts to build a strong and healthy human capital that is well-positioned to succeed in the future, be competitive, create jobs and contribute to the country's growth and prosperity."
Currently, the World Bank is financing 25 projects in Tajikistan totaling $1.59 billion. Since 1996, the World Bank has provided over $2.72 billion in IDA grants, highly concessional credits, and trust funds for Tajikistan. The World Bank is committed to continuing its support as the country strives to improve lives and meet the aspirations of its young and growing population.
