Rahmon Pushes CASA-1000 Amid Regional Energy Talks with World Bank
President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan underscored support for advancing the CASA-1000 project, a regional energy corridor that envisions transmitting electricity via power lines from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan toward Afghanistan and Pakistan. The assertion came in a statement released by the Tajik presidency and cited by multiple agencies, including TASS, during discussions at high levels about regional cooperation and energy integration.
The remarks were delivered on the sidelines of a major climate event in Dubai, where Rahmon met with World Bank President Ajay Banga. The two leaders discussed how CASA-1000 could knit together the Central and South Asian energy markets through Afghanistan, highlighting the project as a pivotal element in regional power security and cross-border cooperation. The meeting reflected a broader agenda that links energy trade with sustainable development and climate resilience, positioned within ongoing dialogues about infrastructure financing and market reforms in the region.
In parallel to energy initiatives, the Tajik presidency emphasized ongoing structural reforms designed to modernize the economy. Key areas include accelerating digitalization, strengthening civil aviation capabilities, and creating an investment-friendly environment. These reforms are framed as critical levers for attracting capital and expanding trade, with the World Bank identified as a central partner in financing and expertise. The government underlined that such cooperation aims to raise productivity, broaden access to essential services, and improve overall business conditions in Tajikistan.
Current figures indicate robust engagement with international financial institutions. At present, the World Bank finances 28 projects in Tajikistan, with a total investment portfolio valued at approximately 1.5 billion dollars. This level of backing supports a range of initiatives from infrastructure modernization to social programs, illustrating the Bank’s continued belief in Tajikistan’s development trajectory and the importance of regional collaboration for shared growth and stability.
Earlier remarks touched on broader regional capacity-building efforts. One report noted that Russia plans to begin training teachers in Tajikistan, signaling another layer of international cooperation in education. In related coverage, there was reference to China’s assessment of the effects sanctions have on trade with Russia, a factor that intersects with regional economic dynamics and policy responses. These developments collectively frame Tajikistan’s outward-facing strategy as one anchored in diversification of partnerships and resilience against external shocks.
Overall, the discourse around CASA-1000, alongside ongoing economic reforms and international financing, suggests a multi-dimensional approach to growth. The project is seen not merely as a transmission line project but as a catalyst for regional integration, energy security, and sustainable development outcomes. Stakeholders point to the potential for improved electricity access and stability, which could support industrial activity, household consumption, and long-term economic diversification in Tajikistan and neighboring countries. The conversations with the World Bank reinforce the view that financing, governance reforms, and technical expertise are essential ingredients to turning regional ambitions into tangible benefits, with the CASA-1000 initiative at the center of such strategic efforts, as reflected in official statements and subsequent analyses by regional development experts [World Bank briefing reports].