The thirty-five years of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan represent not merely a chronological milestone, but an important period in the formation of modern statehood, the consolidation of national unity, the restoration of political stability, and the strengthening of the country’s position within the system of international relations. Over this historical period, Tajikistan has passed through highly complex stages of state-building and peacebuilding and has gradually emerged as an active and initiative-taking actor in regional and global affairs. The celebration of the 35th anniversary of independence therefore provides an appropriate opportunity to reassess the path traversed, analyze political and diplomatic achievements, evaluate the factors contributing to the consolidation of sovereignty, and identify priority directions for the further development of the state amid the ongoing transformation of the international system.

In 2026, the Republic of Tajikistan celebrates the 35th anniversary of its State Independence. In the history of modern Tajik statehood, this anniversary carries not only symbolic and commemorative significance, but also profound political, historical, and geopolitical meaning. Independence, above all, enabled Tajikistan to determine its own path of national development, establish its political and legal system, safeguard its national interests, and act as a full-fledged sovereign actor in international relations. The 35th anniversary of State Independence therefore constitutes an important milestone for assessing the country’s experience of state-building, evaluating the achievements of its domestic and foreign policies, and identifying priorities for its future development.

On September 9, 1991, Tajikistan declared its State Independence. This event occurred amid an exceptionally complex transformation of the international system and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Alongside the establishment of sovereign state institutions, the newly independent country faced serious political, economic, and social challenges. Official sources likewise emphasize that the disruption of established economic and social ties, together with the political crisis, had a profound impact on the initial stage of independence. From this perspective, the history of the thirty-five years of independence can be understood as a complex process of transition from formal legal sovereignty to sustainable statehood and genuine international agency.

One of the most serious historical challenges faced by the young Tajik state was the civil war. Under these circumstances, the restoration of peace was not merely a matter of ending armed confrontation; it became a fundamental condition for preserving national statehood and the territorial integrity of the country. The signing of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord on June 27, 1997 marked the beginning of a qualitatively new stage in Tajikistan’s political history. The United Nations also regards this document as the outcome of the inter-Tajik negotiations and as a foundation for the establishment of peace and national reconciliation.

From the perspective of political science, Tajikistan’s peace experience has significance extending beyond the settlement of a single domestic conflict. It demonstrated that political dialogue, compromise, confidence-building, and the participation of international mediators can create the foundations for a transition from conflict to long-term stability. At a time when armed conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, and security crises continue in different regions of the world, Tajikistan’s peacebuilding experience may serve as important material for comparative research on peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction.

Another important stage of the independence period has been associated with the development of state institutions, the legal system, economic growth, and national infrastructure. During this period, ensuring energy independence, overcoming communication isolation, strengthening food security, and accelerating industrialization became strategic national objectives. The designation of 2022–2026 as the “Years of Industrial Development” is likewise linked to efforts to strengthen productive capacity and diversify the economy. According to official data, in 2025 Tajikistan’s gross domestic product reached 173 billion somoni, while real economic growth amounted to 8.4 percent.

Nevertheless, a scholarly assessment of the thirty-five years of independence should not be limited exclusively to quantitative indicators. The next stage of development requires greater attention to the quality of economic growth, enhanced competitiveness, the creation of productive employment, the development of human capital, the digital economy, and the private sector. In its recent assessments, the World Bank, while acknowledging strong economic growth, has also pointed to the need to strengthen the private sector, expand employment opportunities, and improve economic resilience to external and climate-related risks. The strategic substance of independence at the present stage is therefore becoming increasingly linked to the state’s capacity to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

Another important dimension is the development of the Republic of Tajikistan’s international agency. The sovereign state has gradually expanded its system of diplomatic relations and pursued a multidirectional foreign policy based on the principle of “open doors.” The objective of this policy is to safeguard national interests, broaden cooperation with states and international organizations, and enhance Tajikistan’s participation in important regional and global processes. For a country occupying an important geopolitical position in Central Asia, a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy is of particular importance.

In recent years, regional cooperation in Central Asia has also entered a new stage. The resolution of longstanding border issues through negotiations and the signing of the Khujand Declaration by the leaders of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan in 2025 constitute an important example of the increasing priority accorded to diplomacy and dialogue in resolving interstate issues. At the United Nations General Assembly, this progress was also cited as an example of how political will, mutual respect, and negotiations can contribute to strengthening regional stability.

At the same time, Tajikistan has sought to strengthen its international standing by advancing a constructive agenda on issues of universal significance. Initiatives relating to water, glacier protection, climate change, and sustainable development have gradually become among the most recognized dimensions of Tajikistan’s diplomacy. In this context, the Dushanbe Water Process has developed into a platform for international dialogue, while Tajikistan has sought to link water and climate issues with food security, energy security, and sustainable development. This process may be regarded as an expression of issue-based diplomacy and the use of soft power in the country’s foreign policy.

One of the important developments on the eve of the 35th anniversary of independence was the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the resolution proclaiming 2027–2036 as the “International Decade of Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations.” This initiative of Tajikistan was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on June 25, 2026. From the perspective of international relations, such an initiative demonstrates Tajikistan’s effort to transform its national experience of peacebuilding into an element of its international agenda and to contribute to the formation of new norms and priorities for multilateral cooperation.

Thus, the 35th anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan may be viewed not merely as the culmination of a particular historical period, but also as a transition toward a new stage of statehood and national development. Whereas during the first years of independence the principal tasks were preserving the state, restoring peace, and establishing sovereign institutions, today greater importance is attached to economic competitiveness, technology, human capital, environmental security, resilience to transnational threats, and the strengthening of the country’s position within the international system.

The true value of independence, therefore, is not confined to sovereignty itself. It is manifested, above all, in the capacity of the state to independently safeguard its national interests, ensure peace and stability, create conditions for human development, and contribute to addressing regional and global challenges. The thirty-five-year experience of the Republic of Tajikistan demonstrates that independence is a continuous process accompanied by considerable responsibility. The consolidation of its achievements will depend on the development of effective institutions, knowledge and innovation, the strengthening of social unity, the pursuit of a balanced and carefully calibrated foreign policy, and the country’s active participation in shaping a more equitable and stable system of international relations.

YUSUFJONOV Faridun,

Senior Research Fellow, Department of the United States and Canada,

Institute for Asian and European Studies,

National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan,

Candidate of Political Sciences