Iran and Tajikistan Strengthen Ties Toward a Sustainable Future

TEHRAN (Iran News) During the Dushanbe International Investment Forum on Tuesday, Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Seyed Ali Madani-Zadeh, highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations. “It is an honor to participate in this gathering in the beautiful city of Dushanbe,” he said, thanking the Tajik government and President Emomali Rahmon for their warm hospitality.

Madani-Zadeh described the conference’s theme, “Green Investment: Today’s Opportunity for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Development,” as a bridge for exchanging ideas and building a more prosperous regional future. He noted that the recent meeting between Presidents Rahmon and Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran marked a turning point, with the signing of 23 cooperation agreements worth nearly $500 million, signaling a strong commitment to deepening economic ties.

According to the minister, the two nations aim to boost annual trade beyond $500 million, supported by agreements in transportation, customs, fisheries, mining, and agriculture. He said Tajikistan’s vast potential in renewable energy, mining, and water resources makes it a reliable destination for investors.

Despite economic sanctions, Madani-Zadeh emphasized that Iran continues to pursue diversification and innovation. “Iran is ready for regional cooperation, especially with Tajikistan, in clean energy, digital economy, transportation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and mining,” he said. He also pointed to Iran’s growing expertise in artificial intelligence and blockchain, offering to share knowledge with Tajikistan to support technological advancement and talent development.

The minister underscored that regional cooperation has deep roots in the Silk Road era, when trade and cultural exchange built prosperity. “Balanced development can only be achieved through strengthened bilateral and multilateral ties,” he said.

Madani-Zadeh called the recent presidential summit “a truly historic chapter” in the two nations’ relations. Agreements on joint transport corridors, the use of Iran’s southern ports, and shared ventures in fisheries, mining, and agriculture were described as “cornerstones of a new era.”

“These enhanced economic ties, built on deep cultural and historical connections, will bring not only mutual prosperity but also stability and progress for the entire region,” he said.

He praised Tajikistan’s role as both a cultural hub and a growing economic center in Central Asia, noting its leadership in renewable energy and abundant natural resources. The forum, he added, comes at a time when regional cooperation platforms such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are expanding and offering new frameworks for partnership.

Key Areas of Cooperation: 1. Renewable Energy – Iran, one of the world’s largest oil and gas holders, has made significant progress in renewable energy investment. Madani-Zadeh said green energy could become a vital pillar of regional cooperation and ensure a stable energy supply; 2. Digital Economy and AI – “The world is entering a digital transformation, and artificial intelligence is the future,” he said. With strong capabilities in AI, blockchain, and e-commerce, Iran is ready to help Tajikistan develop digital infrastructure and train new technology specialists; 3. Transportation and Logistics – Iran expressed readiness to expand trade corridors, particularly with Tajikistan and other landlocked nations, to strengthen economic connectivity across Central and South Asia; 4. Agriculture and Food Security – The minister stressed that agriculture remains vital for all regional economies. Joint investment projects, he said, could enhance food production and supply chain stability; 5. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment – With decades of experience in medicine and biotechnology, Iran can be a reliable partner for regional countries in producing affordable, high-quality drugs and medical technologies; 6. Mining and Industrial Cooperation – Given shared geological potential, Madani-Zadeh said Iran is ready to attract investment and provide technical and engineering expertise to develop the region’s mining sector.

Madani-Zadeh invited international investors to participate in joint Iran–Tajikistan ventures across various fields, including climate stabilization projects, water resource management, oil, gas, and petrochemical development, infrastructure expansion, and tourism, particularly eco-tourism and health tourism.

“Iran and Tajikistan stand ready to build a sustainable and technologically advanced regional future,” he concluded. “Together, we can transform our shared history and cultural bonds into engines of prosperity and stability for generations to come.”