LocationsThrough a regional study visit in Türkiye, Tajikistan’s delegation explored digital innovations, shared national progress, and reinforced its role in modernizing civil registration across Eurasia.
Tajik Civil Servants Learn from Türkiye’s Digital Reforms and Share National Progress Across Eurasia
July 29, 2025
Tajikistan's delegation at the meeting of the Eurasian Civil Registrars Network (ECRN) in Ankara, Türkiye.
UNDP Tajikistan
Eleven civil servants from Tajikistan traveled to Ankara for a regional study visit organized by the Eurasian Civil Registrars Network (ECRN). The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, the Agency of Statistics, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — all key institutions supporting Tajikistan’s civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system.
Hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the peer exchange aimed to strengthen cross-border cooperation on inclusive CRVS reform. With the support of the European Union, the visit took place as Tajikistan undertakes wide-reaching efforts to digitize and modernize its civil registration system with technical assistance from UNDP.
Peer Learning Across Borders
Over three days, participants engaged in hands-on learning, deep dives into gender and social equity, and peer exchange sessions with civil registration experts.
Through World Café-style discussions, country case studies, and site visits, the Tajik delegation explored practical tools and strategies to reach underserved communities, streamline document management, and strengthen institutional coordination.
Dilnoz Muhammadi, Head of Civil Registration Office in Sughd region, Tajikistan.
UNDP Tajikistan
Dilnoz Muhammadi, Head of Civil Registration Office in Sughd region, shared:
“Each of us joined the discussions with other country groups and learned something new for themselves in the document management system and digitalization of the civil registry office.”
One compelling discussion centered on marriage and divorce registration. While global attention often focuses on birth registration, Tajikistan’s participants highlighted that legal protection gaps for women and children commonly arise around divorce registration, particularly in cases involving religious marriages that are not formally registered. When divorces are not legally documented, women and children may remain unprotected in the eyes of the state. These conversations underscored the need for inclusive systems that safeguard rights across the entire civil status lifecycle.
Learning from Türkiye’s Digital Model
A highlight of the visit was a study tour to Türkiye’s General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship. Participants observed the country’s Identity Sharing System (KPS), which digitally connects 2,160 institutions and their e-government portal offering 52 civil registration services that have processed 804 million transactions since 2017.
ECRN session, Ankara, Türkiye.
UNDP Tajikistan
“After the visit to the Ankara civil registry office, it was inspiring to see how Turkey, a country that began its digitization efforts in 2007, has digitized its civil archives, even preserving records from the time of the Ottoman Empire dating back to 1904. This country’s experience will help us in the future as we digitize our own document management system,” said Ms. Muhammadi.
Showcasing Tajikistan's Progress
During the meeting, the delegation also presented recent national achievements. These include outreach to remote communities via mobile registration units and SMS awareness campaigns, particularly targeting women and remote populations.
As a result of these efforts, citizen satisfaction with civil registration services has nearly doubled — from 45% in 2019 to 86% in 2024, according to a recent survey.
Regional Network Takes Shape
A key outcome of the gathering was the consensus to formally establish the Eurasian Civil Registrars Network (ECRN). ESCAP will serve as the network’s technical secretariat. Member states identified joint priorities including cybersecurity, data sharing, and cross-border data sharing, especially important for service delivery during crises.
Faridun Sharifi, Director of the State Unitary Enterprise Qonuniyat under the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan.
UNDP Tajikistan
Faridun Sharifi, Director of the State Unitary Enterprise Qonuniyat under the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan, noted:
“The event laid the foundations for the creation of a Central Asian Civil Registry Network, similar to successful networks in other regions, and will enable republics to jointly address issues such as data sharing and crisis response for sustainable development and protection of citizens' rights in the region.”
Looking Ahead
The peer exchange was conducted under the EU-funded Improved Access to Public Services (IAPS) project, part of UNDP’s broader support to the Civil Registration System Reform Initiative in Tajikistan. The initiative focuses on building a modern, transparent, and citizen-centered registration system through digitization, institutional reform, and public outreach.
As Tajikistan continues its reform journey, the lessons learned in Ankara — and the partnerships forged — signal the country’s growing leadership in ensuring every individual is registered, empowered and safeguarded.
