BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. On September 9,
Tajikistan marks State Independence Day. In 2026, the country
commemorates 35 years since the declaration of independence, a
milestone of particular significance in the republic’s modern
history.
Over the past decades, Tajikistan has experienced a complex
period that included civil war, the restoration of state
institutions, the consolidation of peace and national unity, and
the subsequent pursuit of large-scale infrastructure development,
energy advancement, industrialization, and expanded international
cooperation.
A key role in Tajikistan's development process has been
attributed to the policy pursued by President Emomali Rahmon. His
period of leadership coincided with the most challenging stage of
Tajikistan’s post-civil-war recovery and the subsequent
consolidation of the country’s modern system of public
administration.
One of the principal outcomes of this period has been the
preservation of national unity and the establishment of conditions
conducive to long-term development. A significant milestone in this
process was the signing of the General Agreement on the
Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan on June
27, 1997. The agreement paved the way for the cessation of armed
confrontation and the restoration of stability.
President Emomali Rahmon has repeatedly underscored the
historical significance of independence for Tajikistan. “Indeed,
independence and freedom are our greatest historical achievement
and the foundation for the development of national statehood,”
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said.
Following the end of the civil war, state policy gradually
shifted toward economic recovery, infrastructure development, and
the creation of conditions conducive to improving living standards.
In parallel, Dushanbe began implementing long-term strategies
focused on achieving energy independence, ensuring food security,
overcoming the country’s communications isolation, and accelerating
industrialization.
The outcomes of these policy priorities can now be assessed
through a range of economic indicators. According to figures
presented by Ambassador of Tajikistan to Azerbaijan Ilhom
Abdurahmon during a speech in Baku marking the 35th anniversary of
Tajikistan’s state independence, the country’s GDP increased
3.4-fold over the past decade, while average annual economic growth
reached 7.6%. In 2025, Tajikistan’s GDP amounted to 173 billion
somoni ($18.77 billion), while real economic growth stood at
8.4%.
Over the same period, the country’s population increased from
5.3 million in 1991 to 10.7 million in 2026, while the poverty rate
declined to 19%. “Over the years since gaining independence, our
country has achieved significant progress in socio-economic
development under the leadership of the Leader of the Nation,
President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Mr. Emomali
Rahmon,” Ambassador of Tajikistan to Azerbaijan Ilhom Abdurahmon
said.
Energy remains among the principal priorities of Tajikistan’s
economic policy. Over the past decade, 60 billion somoni ($6.51
billion) has been invested in the sector, while power generation
capacity has increased by more than 1,000 MW. The largest project
in this sector remains the Rogun Hydropower Plant. Its construction
is viewed by Dushanbe as a strategic project that could strengthen
the country’s energy independence, create additional opportunities
for industrial development and increase Tajikistan’s export
potential.
At the same time, the country is accelerating industrial
development. During seven years of implementing its
industrialization policy, more than 2,600 new industrial
enterprises have been established and commissioned, creating more
than 87,000 jobs. During this period, industrial production
increased 2.5 times.
Another important factor is infrastructure development. As part
of preparations for the 35th anniversary of independence, 29,000
facilities were initially planned for construction. However, more
than 31,000 social, industrial, and infrastructure facilities have
already been commissioned across the country. More than 70% of them
were built with funding from domestic investors and donors.
The transformation has been particularly significant in the
regions. More than 8,360 facilities of various types have been
commissioned in Khatlon region over the past five years. The
development of roads, social facilities, industrial enterprises and
urban infrastructure is gradually changing the economic profile of
the regions.
Tajikistan’s economic policy is also increasingly focused on
human capital, including education, healthcare, culture, sports and
expanding opportunities for young people. In his address marking
the 35th anniversary of independence, Emomali Rahmon separately
emphasized the responsibility of the younger generation for the
country’s future.
Alongside domestic development, Tajikistan is consistently
expanding its foreign economic and diplomatic ties. One of the most
notable areas is cooperation with Azerbaijan. On May 23, 2024,
Azerbaijan and Tajikistan signed a Declaration on Strategic
Partnership in Baku. The document covers a broad range of areas,
from trade and investment to transport, energy, industry,
education, and culture.
According to Ilhom Abdurahmon, Azerbaijan currently holds a
special place in Dushanbe’s foreign economic strategy. “Azerbaijan
is one of Tajikistan’s most important and close partners, with whom
we maintain sincere and friendly relations,” Ambassador of
Tajikistan to Azerbaijan Ilhom Abdurahmon said.
Economic statistics also point to the intensification of
bilateral ties. In 2025, trade turnover between Tajikistan and
Azerbaijan increased by 84%, while the volume of strategically
important transit transportation increased by 50%. At the same
time, the potential for cooperation extends far beyond trade.
Dushanbe is considering opportunities to use Azerbaijan’s transport
and logistics infrastructure and further develop routes, including
the Middle Corridor. Four direct flights per week also operate
between Baku and Dushanbe, creating additional opportunities for
business and tourism contacts.
Going forward, the combination of energy, industry and transport
infrastructure could become one of the key factors in Tajikistan’s
further economic development. For a landlocked country, expanding
transport links with external markets is of strategic importance.
The development of transit routes through Azerbaijan could expand
access for Tajik producers to international markets while
increasing Tajikistan’s role in regional logistics.
Energy remains an equally important area. The completion of
major projects, development of renewable energy sources and
modernization of infrastructure could strengthen domestic power
supplies and create additional opportunities for electricity
exports. Against this backdrop, the 35th anniversary of
independence is becoming not only an opportunity for Tajikistan to
assess its achievements, but also a starting point for a new stage
of development. The country’s authorities have already outlined
long-term priorities, including industrialization, energy
independence, food security, transport development, digitalization
and improving the quality of human capital.
Speaking to military personnel ahead of the anniversary, Emomali
Rahmon linked the preservation of the achievements made to the
responsibility of the state and society. “Therefore, compliance
with the law and the requirements of military regulations,
continuous improvement of professional skills, responsibility and
devotion to the Motherland, the state and the people of Tajikistan
are the most important and sacred duties of every officer and
soldier,” the president said.
The military parade held in Dushanbe on September 7, which
involved more than 27,000 people, was one of the central events
marking the anniversary. At the same time, the symbolism of the
35th anniversary of independence goes far beyond the celebrations.
For Dushanbe, the anniversary provides an opportunity to
demonstrate the results of state-building over the past decades
while also outlining the country’s future direction.
The next phase could be characterized by a gradual shift from
large-scale recovery and the construction of basic infrastructure
toward deeper economic integration, industrial cooperation,
development of the digital economy and increasing export potential.
Strategic partners could play a particularly important role in this
process, including Azerbaijan, which, due to its geographic
position, could become an important element of Tajikistan’s
external logistics strategy.
Over 35 years of independence, the country has moved from a
period of acute internal crisis and armed conflict toward a
development model in which statehood, infrastructure development,
energy and industrial policy have become central elements of its
national strategy.
The policy of President Emomali Rahmon is viewed as a foundation
for maintaining stability, strengthening independence, and creating
conditions for the country’s further development.
