Toshihiro Aiki, Japan’s ambassador to Tajikistan, announced that Japan is helping Tajikistan strengthen the security of its border with Afghanistan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Aiki said that there are challenges that not only Tajikistan, but most of the countries are facing.
He added that Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are collectively working on the successful implementation of various projects in Tajikistan, including the "border management" project, with support from the government of Tajikistan.
According to the Japanese diplomat, the objective of this project extends beyond fortifying the secure and open borders between Tajikistan and Afghanistan; it also emphasises on promoting cross-border trade.
According to the UNDP, the "Border Management" project was initiated in 2015, and the third phase commenced in 2023, with an extension planned until 2025.
UNDP added that the training programmes for border guards and customs officers of Tajikistan have proven to be instrumental.
UNDP said that it aims to expand national capacities in preventing extremism in Central Asia with financial support from the Japanese government.
