The Asian Transport Observatory contributed to a series of national transport discussions in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, held from 2 to 4 June 2026, supporting dialogue on sustainable transport corridors, climate-resilient transport systems, transport data, and implementation financing.

The main engagement was the national workshop on "Strengthening the Capacity of Tajikistan to Implement Low Carbon and Resilient Transport Action Plans", held on 3–4 June 2026 at the National Library of Tajikistan. The workshop was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan, with support from UNECE. ATO’s participation was supported through the Asian Development Bank technical assistance on low-carbon and resilient transport, supported by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The two-day workshop brought together government agencies, technical experts, development partners, and transport stakeholders to support Tajikistan’s efforts to develop and implement low-carbon and climate-resilient transport actions. Discussions focused on the integration of transport targets and measures into Tajikistan's NDC 3.0, including the review of a draft transport chapter, transport emissions modelling, policy prioritization, institutional coordination, financing needs, and monitoring arrangements.

The first day focused on technical capacity building. Participants discussed the policy, technology, financing, and data requirements for achieving low-carbon and resilient transport in Tajikistan. The program included sessions on the development of Nationally Determined Contributions and implementation action plans, as well as a guided discussion on Tajikistan's draft NDC 3.0 transport chapter. This provided an opportunity for ministries and organizations to reflect on proposed emission reduction targets, transport measures, technology transition, institutional arrangements, implementation requirements, and monitoring, reporting, and verification.

ATO contributed directly to the technical discussions through a session on transport data and modelling tools, where Alvin Mejia, Co-Team Leader of the Asian Transport Observatory, presented ATO's data platforms and analytical work. The presentation highlighted how country-level and regional transport datasets can support more realistic target-setting, improve the assessment of policy options, and strengthen the connection between technical evidence and national transport planning. ATO emphasized the importance of reliable data for understanding transport emissions, energy demand, road safety, public transport access, investment requirements, and wider development outcomes.

The second day shifted from technical analysis to policy dialogue. Participants examined the policy implications of the draft NDC 3.0 transport chapter and discussed how technical findings could be translated into implementable actions. Sessions focused on identifying priority low-carbon and climate-resilient transport measures, sequencing near- and medium-term actions, clarifying institutional roles, and strengthening coordination across transport, environment, energy, finance, and other relevant sectors.

ATO also contributed to the discussion on financing, capacity, and enabling conditions for implementation. Sudhir Gota, Co-Team Lead of the Asian Transport Observatory, joined the session with representatives from ADB and the Mitigation Action Facility. The discussion addressed the practical requirements for moving from policy priorities to implementation, including financing options, links with national budgeting and planning processes, capacity-building needs, pilot projects, phased implementation, and monitoring and reporting systems.

In addition to the main 3–4 June workshop, ATO contributed to the national capacity building workshop on "Enhancing Connectivity of Landlocked Developing Countries through Advancing Sustainable Transport Corridors", held on 2 June 2026 in Dushanbe. This workshop, organized under ESCAP’s work on operational connectivity along the Asian Highway Network, focused on sustainable infrastructure development, digitalization, smart technologies, dry ports, logistics centres, cross-border data exchange, rail transport, and the implementation of sustainable transport corridor initiatives for landlocked developing countries.

At the 2 June workshop, ATO contributed a regional perspective through a presentation by Sudhir Gota on "Sustainable and Resilient Transport in the CAREC Region: The State of Play." This helped situate Tajikistan’s connectivity priorities within broader regional trends and highlighted the importance of resilient corridors, improved logistics performance, and evidence-based planning for landlocked developing countries.

Across the three days, ATO's contribution centered on the practical use of data and analysis to support transport decision-making. This included sharing evidence on regional transport trends, providing tools to support emissions and policy analysis, contributing to discussions on investment and implementation needs, and helping connect Tajikistan’s national priorities with wider regional and global agendas.

The engagement also reinforced the role of ATO as a regional evidence platform for sustainable transport in Asia and the Pacific. By supporting discussions on NDC implementation, climate resilience, financing, corridor connectivity, and institutional coordination, ATO helped provide a stronger analytical basis for Tajikistan’s next steps in developing a more sustainable, low-carbon, and resilient transport system.

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