The Dushanbe Declaration was adopted after the economic forum and meeting of the Governing Council of countries in the UN Special Program for Central Asian Economies (SPECA) held in Tajikistan, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Delegates from Central Asia emphasized the need for increased regional cooperation in sustainable development. They pledged to work together in sectors such as energy, digital trade, trade harmonization, SME support, water management, and creating innovation ecosystems.
UN Under-Secretary-General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana stressed that SPECA should attract green investments and drive sustainable growth in the region. The forum focused on addressing climate change and advancing sustainable solutions for energy and transport.
Climate change’s impact on the region was highlighted during discussions, including glacial melt, water shortages, and worsening environmental conditions. UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean warned that Central Asia’s ecosystems and water-energy resources were vulnerable.
The forum also discussed the launch of the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund, aimed at funding climate and green projects tailored to the region’s needs. The SPECA Economic Forum took place in Dushanbe.