Switzerland and Tajikistan enjoy very good relations. Tajikistan is a priority country for Swiss development cooperation and a partner in the field of water diplomacy. The two countries also maintain good cooperation as part of the same constituency group for several multilateral organisations, including the Bretton Woods institutions.
Bilateral relations
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
As an important development cooperation donor country, Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation in this Central Asian republic. Tajikistan is a member of the Swiss voting constituency in the Bretton Woods institutions (International Monetary Fund and World Bank) and in the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
Switzerland is also active in Central Asia in the field of water diplomacy. The Blue Peace initiative promotes regional cooperation on water among the five Central Asian countries and provides political and technical support for transboundary water management initiatives.
Economic cooperation
Trade between Switzerland and Tajikistan is modest. Swiss businesses are involved in Tajikistan’s cotton industry, among other sectors. Switzerland imports mainly gold from Tajikistan for further processing.
Country information, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers from Tajikistan can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI).
SERI: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Tajikistan is a priority country for Swiss international cooperation. The 2022–25 cooperation programme provides around CHF 21 million each year for the following areas:
- Water, infrastructure and climate change: Switzerland supports Tajikistan with drinking water supply, wastewater management and hygiene improvements in urban and rural areas. An integrated approach to water management is pursued, which also takes into account environmental protections, protection against natural hazards and preparedness to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
- Good governance, human rights and efficient services: Switzerland helps Tajikistan to modernise its public services to make them more efficient, inclusive and accessible.
- Inclusive and sustainable economic development: further development of the private sector should contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and the creation of decent jobs.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan)
Swiss nationals in Tajikistan
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 20 Swiss citizens living in Tajikistan in 2024.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland recognised Tajikistan's independence on 23 December 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 9 December 1992. The Swiss embassy in Moscow was initially responsible for this Central Asian republic. In 1994, responsibility was shifted to the Swiss embassy in Tashkent, and then to the Swiss embassy in Astana in 2008.
In 1998, Switzerland opened a cooperation office in Dushanbe.
Switzerland’s international cooperation with Tajikistan began in 1993 with a Humanitarian Aid mission during the civil war in Tajikistan. In 1997, Tajikistan became a member of the constituency group led by Switzerland in the Bretton Woods institutions.
In 2007, Tajikistan upgraded its office in Geneva to a mission. Tajikistan has had an accredited ambassador in Switzerland since 2011.
Tajikistan, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
