Our work
The Programme Office in Dushanbe is involved in a wide range of activities, ranging from arms control, counter-terrorism and border management projects to disaster risk reduction, good governance, gender equality and combating trafficking in human beings.
Arms control
Assisting Tajikistan in strengthening arms control and stockpile management
In order to assist the Government of Tajikistan in improving the country’s arms control and stockpile management mechanisms, the Programme Office co-operates with designated agencies of Tajikistan in the following areas: improving the physical security of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition and stockpiles management measures, reducing threats posed by explosives, and assisting in the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of their delivery.
The Programme Office’s assistance in this area is multifold and target-oriented. The assistance includes technical support (security upgrade of infrastructure/provision of equipment), expert advice for updating relevant sections of legal frameworks, as well as improving national training capacities, with the overall aim of making the results sustainable in the future and ensuring national ownership.
Participant of the regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 2 training course during practical exercises, Chimteppa, outskirts of Dushanbe, 17 May 2025.
Border management
Building capacity of Tajikistan’s border officers to counter illegal border movements
The OSCE has been instrumental in strengthening Tajikistan's border management since 2009, thereby enhancing regional stability. Its work is fully integrated with Tajikistan's National Border Management Strategy (2010–2025) and in line with the OSCE Border Management Concept. To counter pervasive threats and challenges at the border, the Programme Office delivers hands-on assistance through training officials in detection and interception methods, building capacity and providing technical support, including essential equipment for verifying travel documents and developing expertise through specialized training programmes for border officers in such areas as tactical response and operational planning, with dedicated attention to female personnel.
The Office also works to secure borders through community involvement, organizing awareness campaigns near the Afghan border to build trust and mutual understanding between members of law enforcement and local populations.
A major asset in this vital work is the Border Management College, established by the Programme Office in Dushanbe in 2009. As one of the OSCE’s flagship projects, it enables the Organization’s 57 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation to train their border security officers and management officials at the College.
Tajik border officers at a graduation ceremony of a three-week training course on operational planning, Khujand, 13 May 2021.
Countering terrorism
Strengthening Tajikistan’s response to violent extremism and terrorism
The Programme Office provides systematic and tailored capacity-building and technical assistance to relevant government bodies and the civil society sector of Tajikistan in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism (P/CVERLT). Its engagement with civil society focuses on enhancing societal resilience, working closely with local communities, educators, youth and women leaders to raise awareness of P/CVERLT-related drivers and promote early recognition of radicalization and violent extremism.
The Office also co-operates with national authorities, including the State Committee for National Security, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to support efforts to detect and disrupt terrorist financing, promote effective measures to prevent the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes, and uphold fundamental freedoms. In its prevention work, the Office draws on OSCE and UNESCO manuals that emphasize human rights-based approaches in training and advocacy. The Office supports Tajikistan in strengthening academic research, training and institutional capacities related to the subject matter. It also provides expert guidance in developing state policies and contributes to the implementation of strategic priorities, as requested by Tajikistan’s government.
Dog handler from K-9 Centre of Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry during an OSCE-facilitated training course on effective use of service dogs in fighting terrorism and organized crime, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Policing
Supporting police reform towards a community-oriented service
The Programme Office supports Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in reforming the country’s police from the old ‘militia’ model into a modern, community-oriented police service. With the Office’s direct involvement, the country’s National Police Reform Strategy was developed, leading to two government programmes for 2013–2020 and 2021–2025. Work is underway on the next programme for 2026–2030.
A key focus of the Office’s support is fostering sustainable partnerships between police and communities. Since 2014, the number of public councils established with OSCE support has grown from seven to 53 nationwide. Their role was institutionalized through the 2022 Law on Citizen Participation in Ensuring Public Order Protection, developed with the Office’s assistance. The Office also supports the Ministry in drafting a new Law on Police.
Through the Mobile Police Reception project, 17 mobile units regularly meet with communities, holding more than 330 meetings and reaching over 17,000 people in 2024 alone. The Office further assists in advancing gender equality by supporting the Association of Women’s Councils within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Since 2023, the Office has promoted intelligence-led policing and strengthened capacities to counter cybercrime, including eight specialized trainings on open-source and Darknet research and providing equipment to national Cybercrime Centres. It also supports co-operation among law enforcement bodies in combating drug trafficking and implements youth awareness campaigns under the motto ‘Youth and Sports Against Drug Abuse’.
Female police officer of Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry during a three-day train-the-trainer course on «Combatting domestic violence and mainstreaming gender into the work of Public Councils», Khujand, 21 October 2021.
Economic activities
Enhancing Tajikistan’s investment and business environment
The Programme Office supports Tajikistan in enhancing its economic resilience and the investment and business climate, and facilitates the digitalization of services provided by the government. The Office does so by conceptualizing and developing the respective platforms for local stakeholders. The Office facilitates trade by strengthening business-to-business interaction at local and international levels and organizes or co-organizes several trade and business-related events to attract investment opportunities in Tajikistan.
The development of small- and medium-sized enterprises is one of the cornerstones of the Office’s activities in the economic-environmental dimension. Together with state partners, the Office organizes targeted training courses in the country’s regions, particularly for returned labour migrants, as well as women and young people, to diversify the labour market. The courses aim to improve the participants’ entrepreneurial skills and provide advice to existing and potential business owners on taxation, licences and access to finance. In the area of trade facilitation and connectivity, the Office actively engages with key partners in Tajikistan with regard to requirements of the World Trade Organization and its Trade Facilitation Agreement. This includes organizing capacity-building training events on trade harmonization and the simplification of procedures.
Tajik woman selling fruit and dried fruits in Khatlon region of Tajikistan, 29 November 2018.
Environmental activities
Encouraging regional dialogue on water and environmental management
Tajikistan faces growing environmental challenges, including glacial melt, deforestation, unsustainable land use, biodiversity loss and pollution—all intensified by climate change. To address these issues, the Programme Office in Dushanbe supports Tajikistan’s government in implementing the Green Economy Strategy (2023–2037) and the Programme on Environmental Education and Public Awareness (2121–2025, 2026–2030). These efforts promote responsible waste management, reduce plastic use and strengthen a culture of sustainability nationwide.
The Programme Office also supports five Aarhus Centres across Tajikistan, which advance the principles of the Aarhus Convention, ensuring access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters.
Through training, outreach and youth engagement, the Programme Office builds institutional capacity, supports protected areas, raises awareness in glacier-dependent regions and empowers young people through green patrols and climate initiatives.
Working with the Committee for Environmental Protection, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and other partners, the Programme Office promotes inclusive, gender- and youth-responsive environmental governance, contributing to global Sustainable Development Goals on climate action, responsible consumption and life on land.
Disaster risk reduction
Strengthening disaster preparedness and community resilience
The Programme Office’s approach on disaster risk reduction is in line with OSCE commitments, the Senday Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Tajikistan’s government strategy for 2019–2034. It focuses on strengthening institutional capacities, improving disaster preparedness, and building community resilience to disaster risks. Through its assistance of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense’s Republican Training and Methodological Centre, the Office creates institutionalized training capacity. The Office’s work also includes the training of instructors and producing an upgraded curriculum and teaching and learning materials, to improve the quality and scope of training offered to the Committee’s experts, centrally and in particular in the country’s regions.
The Office supports the operational and professional capacities of the Committee’s rescuers by providing language courses, training on the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in emergencies, and the provision of first aid for disaster victims. Enhancing the resilience of disaster-prone communities through awareness-raising sessions, the formation of Local Disaster Management Committees and the holding of community-scale disaster response simulations are also part of the Programme Office’s work in disaster-prone districts, undertaken together with the Tajik Red Crescent Society. By providing support to Tajikistan’s government to attend or organize various disaster risk reduction or mitigation events and conferences, the Programme Office advances regional co-operation and helps knowledge exchange and joint emergency response planning.
Water management and energy security
Supporting water sector reform and energy security
Ensuring sufficient water resources and energy security is a key priority in Tajikistan’s long-term development strategy, which aims to improve living standards through sustainable growth by 2030. Recognizing the close link between water and energy, the Programme Office supports the country in managing these vital resources efficiently and sustainably.
The Office assists in implementing the Water Sector Reform Programme and the National Water Strategy, including support for legislative development under the new Water Code to strengthen water governance. It also promotes women’s participation in the sector through such initiatives as the Syrdarya River Basin Forum and plans to expand similar platforms to other regions.
To improve rural sanitation and hygiene, the Office conducted a study in 2020 identifying key challenges and continues to develop targeted solutions in the area of water, sanitation and hygiene. It also invests in young professionals, building their skills in water management, research and policy-making, while fostering regional dialogue among youth from Central Asia and Afghanistan.
In the energy sector, the Office supports Tajikistan’s efforts to enhance energy security and promote renewable energy, especially in remote areas. Projects include reconstructing three micro-hydropower plants in the Rasht Valley and installing photovoltaic and solar thermal systems in five villages in the upper Zerafshan Valley and two in the Vakhdat District
Over 248 young participants from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan gather in Khujand for the Third International Youth Forum of the Syrdarya River Basin, supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, 11 October 2025.
Good governance
Strengthening institutional, strategic and legal foundations of good governance
The Programme Office works jointly with the government and civil society to reinforce institutional, strategic and legal foundations of good governance, with an emphasis on enhancing anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts. Building on the OSCE’s long-standing partnership with key national stakeholders, the Programme Office engages with national counterparts, such as the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Academy of Public Administration, the Financial Monitoring Department of the National Bank of Tajikistan, and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Transparency and Combating Corruption.
The Programme Office’s work is structured around a three-component approach that ensures a balanced focus on policy and legislative reform, civic engagement and enforcement capacity, which includes advancing legislative and institutional reform for effective anti-corruption implementation through evidence-based planning, legal harmonization, and capacity-building of key institutions; strengthening civil society engagement in anti-corruption and transparency by supporting independent monitoring, inclusive participation and awareness-raising initiatives, particularly targeting youth, women and marginalized groups; and reinforcing institutional capacities and inter-agency co-operation to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing, in line with international standards.
The OSCE assists OSCE participating States in fighting corruption and in building democratic, accountable state institutions.
Human rights
Building capacity to implement the State Programme on Human Rights Education
The Programme Office focuses its human rights Education and promotion work on supporting the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner to implement the State Programme on Human Rights Education and the Equality Law. Programming prioritizes development of a bylaw on mediation to expand access to peaceful dispute resolution and promotes the rights of persons with disability through legislative support, capacity-building and inclusive outreach. The Office provides practical training for government human rights focal points, lawyers and educators on international human rights norms and their application in domestic practice and organizes multi stakeholder dialogue platforms and thematic convenings to advance the objectives of the National Human Rights Protection Strategy. Recognizing a limited civic space, the Programme Office is substantially expanding its support to civil society actors by assisting organizational sustainability, digital security and advocacy skills, and by facilitating strategic partnerships that enhance monitoring, documentation and legal assistance.
Participants of the auto marathon promoting disability rights making a grand arrival in Baljuvon, Khatlon region, 10 October 2023.
Media freedom and development
Promoting media independence and high-quality journalism education
The Programme Office contributes to the development of a more professional, ethical and informed media environment in Tajikistan. In close co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science, it works to enhance the quality of journalism curricula and training at national universities. These efforts are further reinforced through initiatives for journalism students, young bloggers and civic activists, including the annual flagship Journalism School, organized in partnership with international organizations and embassies. The programme offers hands-on training in artificial intelligence tools, fact-checking techniques and media literacy skills. Building on this work, the Programme Office hosts the Digital Media Forum to help journalists and youth build resilience in an evolving media landscape. The Office also delivers training sessions for journalists across the country on professional skills, media legislation and journalistic ethics.
To promote more effective communication within public institutions, the Programme Office organizes specialized training and experience exchange visits for their press officers. As part of its broader engagement with the media community, the Programme Office also leads the organization of the annual World Press Freedom Day conference, which serves as a platform to discuss current media developments in Tajikistan.
Rule of law
Building capacity for a strong legislative framework on justice and rehabilitation
The Programme Office’s work focuses on building the capacity of the government to develop a legislative framework and associated mechanisms for probation, risk assessment, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for adult and juvenile offenders. Part of this work aims to facilitate and support the establishment of mechanisms to safeguard the treatment and conditions of detained and imprisoned persons, including that for alternative sentencing, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The Office provides technical assistance and a platform for dialogue for an intergovernmental working group. The group consists of civil society representatives and experts for the implementation of the programme on penitentiary reform. The Office gives capacity-building support to the Working Group on Reforming the System Providing Justice for Children.
In close co-operation with the Training Centre of the Supreme Court, the Programme Office provides support for the development of a judicial handbook on managing cases related to extremist and terrorist activity. Assistance includes capacity-building support for judges in managing such cases. The Office helped to establish and continues to support a production unit in the female detention centre in Nurek. Further assistance includes setting up training classes to facilitate vocational training for prisoners involved in the production unit. The Office facilitates the work of the Co-ordination Council of the Penitentiary Reform, where government officials, civil society representatives, experts and international organizations co-ordinate plans and activities on penitentiary reform.
Respect for the rule of law is essential to ensure human dignity.
Combating human trafficking
Improving access to justice for victims of human trafficking
The Programme Office focuses on providing support to Tajikistan with the implementation of its anti-trafficking commitments, such as strengthening a multilateral dialogue, exchange of expertise and co-operation in monitoring and implementation of the relevant policy and legislation, as well as the enhancement of the antitrafficking normative framework. In addition, the Programme Office supports state and non-state actors in improving access to justice for victims of human trafficking.
The Programme Office works closely with Inter-Ministerial Commission on Counteracting Trafficking in Human Beings and Centre for Countering Trafficking in Human Beings under Tajikistan’s Ministry of Interior in implementing the 2025–2027 National Action Plan on Counteracting Human Trafficking. A strong focus is put on strengthening the effective inter-agency co-ordination between government stakeholders and the inclusion of civil society expertise into national response mechanisms via regular dialogue platform events.
The Office engages in building the capacity of state and non-state actors working on combating trafficking in human beings, focusing on different aspects and forms of trafficking and fostering an exchange of international and regional expertise. The Office also supports the operationalization of National Referral Mechanisms for victims of human trafficking in the country and supports activities that promote public awareness, prevention of human trafficking and provision of services for victims.
Actors simulating cases of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation during a four-day national simulation-based training on combating trafficking in persons, Safed-Dara, Tajikistan, 28 October 2021.
Gender equality
Strengthening the participation of women in public and political life
To strengthen the participation of women in public and political life, the Programme Office works with Tajikistan's authorities, political parties and civil society in capacity-building programmes that support greater access to rights and opportunities. It co-operates with the police and local communities to prevent and combat domestic violence by offering training that helps police respond to cases and assists civil society in developing psychosocial and legal services for families in need. The Programme Office also supports a nationwide network of resource centres that act as crisis centres and community focal points for women and families.
Women's participation in public and political life
Promoting gender equality in public and political spheres
The work of the Programme Office on gender equality focuses on empowering women and strengthening their participation in public and political life. The Office works with government authorities, political parties and civil society to promote greater awareness of women’s rights and to expand opportunities for women. Together with the Network of Young Tajik Gender Champions, the OSCE Youth Network for Gender Equality established by the Office, it conducts peer-to-peer awareness-raising initiatives.
In co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office advocates for increased recruitment of women in the police and supports the Association of Women’s Councils in the Ministry in creating better conditions for women in law enforcement. In partnership with the Association of Women Police Officers, the Office raises awareness about gender-based street harassment. Together with the Union of Women Judges, the Office conducts legal reviews and provides information sessions on judicial practices, opportunities for women in the legal sector, and educational pathways for aspiring women judges. In collaboration with the Alliance of Women Parliamentarians, the Programme Office works to strengthen ties with other women’s alliances in OSCE participating States and to advance gender-sensitive legislation.
Combating domestic violence
Strengthening mechanisms to prevent and combat domestic violence
The Programme Office supports Tajikistan’s government and civil society in creating responsive and sustainable mechanisms to prevent and combat domestic violence. In order to enable this work, the Office collaborates with a number of partners, such as the Committee for Women and Family Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, consultation rooms working with domestic violence perpetrators, and other key government actors of the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence.
The Office builds the capacity of relevant government bodies and civil society organizations to respond effectively to cases of violence in the family and provide services to victims and perpetrators through gender-sensitive and victim-centred approaches. Furthermore, the Office supports activities enabling actors in this area of work to understand the correlation between gender stereotypes, gender and power inequalities and domestic violence. Since 2010, the Office has supported the establisment of more than 20 gender-responsive police units. It continues to build the capacity of female inspectors dealing with domestic violence issues.
Women’s Resource Centres
Empowering women through legal, psychosocial and economic support
The Programme Office continues to strengthen and expand the network of Women’s Resource Centres across Tajikistan as a cornerstone of its work on gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence. Operating in 14 districts, the Centres provide vital support to more than 20,000 women from Tajikistan and Afghanistan annually through legal consultations, psychosocial counselling, economic empowerment initiatives, and awareness-raising activities on women’s rights and gender equality. The Centres serve as safe and accessible spaces for women and girls to seek assistance, learn about their rights, and build the skills necessary for active participation in community and public life. The Programme Office supports the institutional capacity of the Centres through continuous staff training, improved referral mechanisms and stronger co-operation with local authorities, law enforcement and civil society. Priorities include strengthening multi-sectoral co-ordination for survivor assistance, improving data collection on cases of violence, and promoting women’s socio-economic empowerment as a key component of sustainable prevention.
The Programme Office also works with the Youth Network on Prevention of Domestic Violence in raising awareness among young people in Tajikistan through peer-to-peer connections and by bringing in members of the wider community on the issue, its causes and consequences, and available services for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence across the country.
Participants of an eight-day training course for women as future mountain guides trekking at the height of 2800 meters, Gaznok mountains, the Ayni district, Tajikistan, 26 June 2021.
OSCE in action
The Organization’s work and teams in related fields
The OSCE’s work is based on a comprehensive security concept, encompassing 23 fields of work. Learn more about the Organization’s activities and teams working in fields relevant to the Programme Office in Dushanbe.
Countering terrorism
Environmental activities
Good governance
Policing
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