Translated with AI
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Walid bin Abdulrahman Al-Reshaydon, held a press conference at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Dushanbe to mark the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The ambassador congratulated the journalists present on the 34th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence and detailed the achievements in bilateral relations between the countries over the past year.
According to the ambassador, bilateral relations are developing in a spirit of mutual respect, strengthening economic cooperation, expanding humanitarian aid, and educational and cultural exchange. During the press conference, he listed key agreements, visits, and projects implemented in 2024–2025, which, he said, "create practical mechanisms for increasing investment and improving the quality of life in Tajikistan."
Air travel and transport
Thus, from September 29 to October 1, 2024, the Kingdom's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabie, and the Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Committee paid a working visit to Dushanbe. During the visit, an additional memorandum of cooperation was signed between the two countries' aviation authorities, aimed at increasing direct flights. Specifically, three weekly flights between Dushanbe and Jeddah are planned using Flynas; the ambassador announced that the flights are expected to launch soon.
Economy and Investments
From November 23 to 27, 2024, a high-ranking Tajik delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Hokim Kholikzoda participated in the World Investment Conference in Riyadh. At the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission between Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan, the parties signed a memorandum establishing a Council of Entrepreneurs between the two countries between the Union of Saudi Arabian Chambers and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan. In addition, two memorandums of understanding were signed in the fields of agriculture and export development—documents that are expected to contribute to increased trade and investment in Tajikistan's agricultural sector.
Humanitarian cooperation and human rights
In December 2024, the Human Rights Commissioner of Tajikistan visited Saudi Arabia, where a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of human rights was signed with the Kingdom's relevant commission. The ambassador emphasized the importance of this exchange of experience for strengthening institutional cooperation.
Education and diplomatic training
In April 2025, Dr. Mushabab al-Qahtani, Director of the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, visited Dushanbe. Following the visit, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Saudi institute and the Center for Strategic Studies of Tajikistan, along with a joint training program for diplomatic service personnel—a move designed to expand academic and professional exchange between the countries.
Medicine and humanitarian aid
In April 2025, a medical volunteer team from the King Salman Center for Humanitarian Aid and Relief worked in Dushanbe, performing cardiac catheterizations and other specialized cardiac surgeries for the first time in the country with the participation of Saudi specialists. Also in April, the third phase of the orphan care project, funded by the King Salman Center, began: 1,000 orphans received financial support totaling $1.4 million.
Private investment and infrastructure development
In May 2025, a delegation from the Union of Saudi Arabian Chambers, led by Chairman Hassan Al-Huwaizi, visited Dushanbe on a business visit. According to the ambassador, this visit facilitated contacts between entrepreneurs from both countries and the launch of joint business initiatives. In July 2025, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Director General of the Saudi Fund for Development, visited Tajikistan to lay the foundation stone for a secondary school in the Danghara district—part of the fifth phase of a project to build and equip several public schools, costing approximately $20 million. During the same period, a $30 million soft loan agreement was signed to finance a road project in Kulob.
Assessment and Prospects
Ambassador Ar-Reshaidon noted that the projects and agreements listed above demonstrate the practical dynamics of cooperation, ranging from air travel and road infrastructure to healthcare, education, and direct private investment. He stated that the implementation of the signed memorandums and loan agreements should strengthen economic ties and create new jobs in Tajikistan.
Concluding the press conference, the ambassador congratulated the Tajik people on the 34th anniversary of independence and stated the Kingdom's readiness to continue cooperation in current areas and consider new initiatives in the areas of transport, agriculture, education, and healthcare.
