LocationsThe Finnish delegation's high-level visit to Tajikistan offered a chance to review progress and shape the future of Finland's partnership with UNDP in promoting justice and inclusive development.
UNDP and Finland Advance Rights, Trade, and Women’s Empowerment in Tajikistan
April 30, 2025
From right to left: Ilkka Räisänen, Finland’s Ambassador to Central Asia, together with colleagues from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, meets with UNDP representatives at the Dushanbe office to discuss and strengthen ongoing collaboration.
UNDP Tajikistan/ Nigora Fazliddin
The high-level visit to Tajikistan took place from 10 to 17 April. Led by Ilkka Räisänen, Ambassador of Finland to Central Asia, the delegation also included Joonas Heiskanen, Director of the Unit for Russia and Central Asia, along with two senior ministry officials.
Welcomed by UNDP Tajikistan’s Resident Representative a.i., Lazima Onta-Bhatta, and the programme team at the UNDP office in Dushanbe, the meeting provided a platform to reflect on joint achievements and discuss the next phase of their partnership in advancing inclusive governance and sustainable development.
Lazima Onta-Bhatta, UNDP Tajikistan’s Resident Representative a.i.
UNDP Tajikistan/ Nigora Fazliddin
“Our partnership with Finland is helping to overcome systemic barriers to justice and economic opportunity, especially for women and girls,” said Lazima Onta-Bhatta. “When women are empowered to access their rights and realize their potential, they uplift entire communities. By investing in gender equality and justice, we are not only fostering inclusive institutions but also enabling women to become agents of transformation and resilience in Tajik society.”
Currently, Finland and UNDP jointly support two flagship initiatives in Tajikistan: The Rule of Law and the Aid for Trade in Central Asia projects - closely aligned with Tajikistan’s reform agenda, aiming to strengthen justice systems and foster inclusive economic growth.
Access to Justice, Access to Rights
At the core of the UNDP, Finland, and Tajikistan’s partnership lies a shared principle - justice must be accessible to everyone, particularly the most vulnerable. Funded by the Government of Finland since 2014, the Rule of Law project is advancing comprehensive reforms through close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.
Support from this project has been critical in the establishment of the free legal aid system in the country, now fully funded by the government. During the current phase of the Rule of Law project, which began in 2022, more than 31,500 people have accessed free legal aid across Tajikistan. Critically, 65 percent of these clients, more than 20,000, have been women.
Legal professionals, including 145 advocates with the Union of Advocates, have received targeted training to better support quality legal aid.
The project’s emphasis on transparency and digital transformation is evident through the launch of 13 new judicial websites and the update of 65 existing ones. A pilot judicial case management system is also being introduced to make court procedures more efficient and accessible.
As women are the vast majority of justice system beneficiaries, these efforts directly support women's empowerment in Tajikistan to better claim their rights.
Importantly, the initiative also empowers civil society to play a greater role in monitoring the rule of law and advocating for reforms, contributing to a stronger and more resilient justice ecosystem.
Ilkka Räisänen, Finland’s Ambassador to Central Asia speaks with UNDP RR a.i.
UNDP Tajikistan/ Nigora Fazliddin
“Access to justice is very important for everyone,” Ambassador Räisänen noted. “When you establish a good rule of law system, the whole society benefits - you can attract investment, support businesses, and people can safeguard their rights.”
Aid for Trade, Aid for Women
Finland’s support also extends to economic development through the Aid for Trade in Central Asia project. The project supports the Government of Tajikistan in enhancing trade capacity, improving value chains, and increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on women and youth.
The project collaborates with key national counterparts, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Agency for Exports, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the State Institution "Formation and Development of Entrepreneurship in Tajikistan." The aim is to improve trade intelligence, enhance export advisory services, support e-commerce capacities, and foster entrepreneurship in rural areas through green and niche value chains. In this context, promoting women’s entrepreneurship is a central focus, ensuring their greater participation in trade and rural economic development.
“We are happy to support women’s entrepreneurship around the world and, of course in Tajikistan,” said Ambassador Räisänen. “We’ve found it very beneficial for society - women gain income, support their families, and create a chain reaction that generates jobs. We hold strong expectations for the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Programme, as it plays a vital role in fostering inclusive economic growth and empowering women in rural areas.”
As the project accelerates, maintaining strong dialogue with national stakeholders will be key to ensuring lasting impact. “Even with limited funding, we can deliver high-quality projects,” the Ambassador added. “Digitalisation and AI can help us reach more people efficiently and stretch the value of every contribution.”
At the centre, from left to right: Ilkka Räisänen, Ambassador of Finland to Central Asia, and Lazima Onta-Bhatta, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., joined by colleagues from Finland’s MFA and UNDP, at the entrance of the UNDP office in Dushanbe.
UNDP Tajikistan/ Nigora Fazliddin
Local Action, Global Support
Throughout the visit, the Finnish delegation held meetings with key national partners, including the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Union of Advocates, and civil society organisations engaged in the Rule of Law and Aid for Trade projects both at the national and community levels.
As Finland and UNDP continue their work together in Tajikistan, this partnership stands as a testament to what can be achieved through shared values, local commitment, and strategic global support.
Media inquiries: Nigora Fazliddin, Communications Analyst, UNDP Tajikistan – nigorai.fazliddin@undp.org
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