Supporting security, rights and sustainable growth in Tajikistan: UK statement to the OSCE

Thank you, Chair.

I warmly welcome Deputy Head Turcan to the Permanent Council - thank you for your report. I would like to extend my personal thanks to you and your team for your support and hospitality to my Ambassador during his recent visit to Dushanbe, where he saw first-hand the work you are doing across all three OSCE dimensions of security.

I would like to highlight several areas of the Programme Office's work that are of particular importance to the UK.

First, the Mission's efforts to promote gender equality - including work to support survivors of domestic violence through Women's Resource Centres and police capacity building. These centres provide vital shelter and services, helping women escape cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives. The UK remains strongly committed to addressing gender-based violence.

Second, the Programme Office's role in fostering cross-border cooperation and regional security. We are also pleased to increase our support package to the Programme Office and Border Management Staff College, both of which continue to counter emerging threats, including organised crime, terrorism financing, irregular migration, and risks around emerging technologies. The new UK-funded border security project will focus on enhancing operational capability, strengthening training and institutional capacity, and improving gender gaps in front line border management. The UK remains committed to working with Tajikistan, its neighbours, and OSCE institutions to address regional challenges, including those stemming from Afghanistan.

Third, we commend the Mission's work in the human dimension, particularly on penal reform and embedding human rights in government training. And, particularly as the UK is current co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, we also strongly welcome efforts to strengthen media standards.

Finally, we support Tajikistan's ambitions for sustainable economic growth. Achieving this requires a stable, transparent investment climate grounded in the rule of law.

We remain a strong supporter of your mandate. As with all field missions we encourage continued focus on delivering on-the-ground impact, closely aligned with OSCE commitments, particularly of course in the currently constrained resource environment.

Thank you.