President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met on February 14 with Ms. Zou Jiayi, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), marking her first official visit to the country since assuming office.
The Tajik president’s official website says President Rahmon congratulated Zou on her appointment and welcomed her to Tajikistan, underscoring the importance of continued cooperation between the country and the Beijing-based multilateral lender.
During the meeting, the Tajik leader praised the current level of partnership and the AIIB’s contribution to key socioeconomic development initiatives. He expressed appreciation for the bank’s support in advancing priority national projects.
Both sides reportedly highlighted the AIIB’s role as one of Tajikistan’s key partners in developing modern infrastructure and promoting sustainable, green growth. Discussions focused on the implementation of major investment projects, including the construction of the Roghun Hydropower Plant and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nurek Hydropower Plant.
The talks also explored opportunities to expand cooperation in the energy and transport sectors, urban infrastructure, water resource management, climate change adaptation, digitalization, and energy efficiency. The importance of securing long-term financing, enhancing project implementation mechanisms, and strengthening institutional capacity was emphasized.
Reaffirming their commitment to deepening long-term and mutually beneficial ties, both parties expressed confidence that the agreements reached would provide fresh momentum to the strategic partnership between Tajikistan and the AIIB, according to t the Tajik president’s official website.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Beijing, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development institution aimed at improving economic and social outcomes across Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, the bank currently has 111 members, including 6 prospective members from around the world. The breakdown of the 111 members by continents are as follows: 42 in Asia, 26 in Europe, 22 in Africa, 10 in Oceania, 9 in South America, and 2 in North America. The bank started operation after the agreement entered into force on 25 December 2015, after ratifications were received from 10 member states holding a total number of 50% of the initial subscriptions of the Authorized Capital Stock.
