Emomali Rahmon Meets with Representatives from the U.S., Iran, and Armenia in Bishkek

On August 31, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon participated in the summit of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek. During his visit, he met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, U.S. representatives, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The press service of the President of Tajikistan reported that during the meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Emomali Rahmon discussed issues related to peace and security, climate change, water resources and glaciers, sustainable development, and the use of artificial intelligence.

Guterres spoke positively about Tajikistan’s role in addressing water issues and glacier protection on the international stage and expressed support for similar initiatives from Dushanbe in this regard.

In turn, Emomali Rahmon highlighted the problems of climate change, the rapid melting of glaciers, dwindling water supplies, and the increasing risk of natural disasters. He proposed the creation of a “Dushanbe Water Framework Program” as a strategic guiding mechanism during the upcoming water conference scheduled to take place in Tajikistan in 2028.

The discussions also touched on matters related to digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Tajikistan had previously proposed a resolution on the role of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia.

In Bishkek, Emomali Rahmon also met with the U.S. Special Representative for Central and South Asia, Sergio Gor, and U.S. Senator Steve Daines. The parties discussed trade and economic cooperation between the countries and attracting investments in the energy sector, industry, and the mining of valuable and rare earth minerals.

Emomali Rahmon described the “C5+1” mechanism, which unites the U.S. and five Central Asian countries, as an important platform for dialogue and regional cooperation. The meeting also addressed issues of security and stability in the region and the world, as well as diplomatic and political avenues for conflict resolution.

Official reports do not mention whether Emomali Rahmon, Antonio Guterres, and U.S. representatives discussed human rights issues. However, the UN has previously expressed concern over the human rights situation in Tajikistan and called for the release of several prisoners. The U.S. has also recently criticized restrictions on religious freedoms in Tajikistan.

According to state media in Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon also met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The parties discussed the relations between Tajikistan and Iran, as well as trade, economic, and investment cooperation in sectors such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and tourism. They also addressed the situation in the Middle East and Iran, advocating for the resolution of regional conflicts through political dialogue.

Notably, Emomali Rahmon met with both U.S. representatives and the Iranian president on the same day—two parties currently at odds with each other.

As part of the SCO summit, the president also met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. They discussed economic cooperation and the growth of trade between the two countries; strengthening collaboration among entrepreneurs and holding trade forums were also deemed important. The necessity of convening the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Tajikistan and Armenia on trade and economic cooperation, cultural, scientific, educational, and youth issues, as well as enhancing bilateral relations, was emphasized.

It is worth noting that the meeting of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is scheduled for September 1 in Bishkek. This is not the first time that Kyrgyzstan’s capital has hosted an SCO meeting; previous summits were held in 2007, 2013, and 2019.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001. Its current members include Tajikistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status.