The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Executive Body of the State Authority of the City of Dushanbe have officially launched a new regional project aimed at making Dushanbe safer, greener, and more resilient to climate and disaster risks, UNDP Tajikistan reported.
The ‘Enhancing Urban Resilience to Disaster Risk and Climate Change in Central Asia’ project is funded by the Government of Japan and will be implemented in five Central Asian capitals and cities from 2024 to 2027.
The launch event gathered over 50 participants, including representatives from key ministries, the Dushanbe Municipality, district administrations, and international organizations engaged in climate change, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and urban resilience.
In his opening remarks, Kenichiro Sasame, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan to Tajikistan, highlighted Japan’s long-standing commitment to DRR in the region.
“Drawing on its extensive experience, Japan has long supported disaster risk reduction in this region, including through the ‘Central Asia + Japan’ dialogue,” the Counsellor stated.
The project aims to foster regional coordination and improve disaster preparedness through technical assistance to the participating countries.
Sudipto Mukerjee, UNDP Tajikistan’s Resident Representative, emphasized the project’s significance in helping Dushanbe translate its commitment to resilience into practical planning and implementation. “This project presents an opportunity to support the development of Dushanbe’s new socio-economic development program, ensuring that resilience is at the core of urban growth and service delivery,” he said.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart urban future for Dushanbe — a future that will serve as a model for the wider region.
