United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed Grant Agreement on the implementation of the second phase of the project, Promoting Cross-Border Cooperation through Effective Management of Tajikistan’s Border with Afghanistan.
According to the UNDP Office in Tajikistan, the ceremony took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan on November 22 .
The Government of Japan has reportedly allocated 506 million Japanese yen (appr. 4.6 million US dollars) for implementation of the project, aiming to promote stability and security in the bordering districts of Tajikistan and Afghanistan and contribute to the wellbeing of vulnerable population in the area.
“Border-crossing points along the Tajik-Afghan border are vital for strengthening the security of the region. The construction of a new modernized Border Crossing Point in Langar handed over to the Government of Tajikistan a month ago was a historic moment. Building on the success of Phase I, the phase II of the project aims to further strengthen border security, including through the promotion of cross border trade and local economic development” said Dr. Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan, in her opening speech.
The official visit of Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon to Japan in October 2018 became a new landmark event in bilateral relations giving momentum to the development of political and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Japan.
“JICA will continue providing support to strengthen institutional capacity through infrastructure development on the Tajik-Afghan border, including the construction of BCP Kokul and procurement of modern equipment for strengthening border security. At the same time, in the new phase, the project will place greater emphasis on coordination and collaboration to promote regional economic cooperation. The close cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan and our partner UNDP in Tajikistan is a prerequisite for successful implementation of Phase II,” Chief of Representative Office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tajikistan Hideki Tanabe said.
