Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, said his country’s National Development Strategy 2030 is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, but “unfortunately, developing countries, particularly those mountainous and landlocked, face multiple challenges and difficulties in achieving these goals.” Despite significant attempts in this field, the amount of funding for sustainable development offered by the international community continues to be insufficient, he said, calling for the allocation of additional funds and a review of approaches to the international financial system.

Stressing the need for effective and fair reforms of international financial instruments, he said that “many developing and least developed countries remain vulnerable to the impacts of economic and financial crises, poverty, infectious diseases, including COVID-19, natural disasters and food insecurity.” It is vital to implement effective financial support measures, including debt relief, he said, adding:  “Now is the high time to seriously consider this important item.”

Tajikistan, with 93 per cent of its land covered by mountains, is deeply concerned about climate change, he said, adding that changes in the hydrological cycle, a series of floods and droughts, and severe dust storms over the past decades have had a direct impact on its water and energy resources and food security.  “The impacts of climate change and rising temperatures have led to the accelerated melting of glaciers and the deterioration of marine and ocean ecosystems.” The High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation this summer in Dushanbe brought the international community together to intensely deliberate on issues related to the cryosphere. “Of Tajikistan's 14,000 glaciers, which are one of the region's main sources of drinking water, more than 1,300 have completely melted, and the rate of melting is accelerating.” Therefore, his country plays a proactive role in water diplomacy.

Emphasizing the need for strict adherence to international law, he proposed that the General Assembly consider proclaiming an International Year of Legal Literacy.  The rapid adoption of digital technologies and effective use of artificial intelligence can noticeably contribute to development, he said, highlighting the Assembly resolution, adopted in July — proposed by his country — regarding the role of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia.  The establishment of a Regional Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Dushanbe would undoubtedly facilitate an implementation of joint initiatives and projects among Central Asian countries in the field of artificial intelligence.  “Cybersecurity must be an important component of collective security,” he said, calling for the “expansion of international cooperation on global security within the framework of the Dushanbe Counter-Terrorism Process”.

Reaffirming support for ensuring peace, stability and socio-economic development in neighboring Afghanistan, he called on the international community to provide human assistance, especially for regions affected by drought and severe earthquakes in that country.

Also voicing support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system within the framework of the "UN80 Initiative", "UN 2.0”, and the Secretary-General's "Vision for a Modernized United Nations", he welcomed the "Pact for the Future" as an important collective initiative.  Reiterating the need to strengthen the key coordinating role of the United Nations, he said:  “Only with trust, cooperation and unwavering determination we can build a just, peaceful, and sustainable future for all humanity.”