A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Tajikistan's Ministry of Industry and New Technologies and the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Digital Initiatives Fund (DIF) was signed in Dushanbe during the AI Conf 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence. The memorandum outlines the intentions of both sides to jointly develop digital projects, exchange expertise, and strengthen national competencies in innovation and artificial intelligence (AI).

The priority areas of cooperation include the integration of AI into government systems, the development of a multimodal language model (LLM), and the creation of solutions in energy efficiency and security.

Digital partnership to accelerate development

Dauren Rahimzhanov, Managing Director of the Digital Initiatives Directorate at EDB, highlighted that the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies is a key driver of digital transformation in Tajikistan.

"The Ministry has established an AI Council that oversees major national projects. Under the signed memorandum, we will jointly develop AI technologies, exchange knowledge, and expand the portfolio of digital projects in Tajikistan," Rahimzhanov said.

He added that the implementation of these agreements would allow the use of EDB DIF’s financial and expert tools, including grant programs aimed at digital projects with integration effects and technology transfer between the Bank’s member states.

First projects underway in Tajikistan

One of the first projects is the development of the "Electronic City Map of Dushanbe" digital platform, which will serve as a foundational project for other digital initiatives in the city’s development. The agreement for grant funding for this project was signed by the Fund with the state-owned enterprise "Smart City" on September 24, 2025.

Regional cooperation in AI

Alexander Petrov, Director of the Digital Initiatives Directorate at EDB, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in AI development.

"International cooperation is crucial in the field of AI technologies. These projects require cooperation not only between EDB member countries but also with international institutions. We already have proposals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other regional countries. Joint initiatives will help create a sustainable ecosystem and contribute to deeper economic integration," Petrov said.

He noted that the signing of the memorandum opens up new opportunities for joint initiatives aimed at developing Tajikistan's digital economy. The realization of these agreements will allow the use of AI to address practical issues and strengthen technological cooperation in the region.

The Eurasian Development Bank is an international financial institution investing in Eurasia.  For more than nineteen years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. 

As of July 2025, the EDB’s accumulated project portfolio includes 319 projects with a total investment value of $19.1 billion.  Its portfolio mainly consists of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering.

The Bank’s operations are guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles.  The Eurasian Development Bank has observer status in the UN General Assembly. 

In line with its 2022–2026 Strategy, the EDB is implementing three megaprojects: the "Water and Energy Complex of Central Asia," the "Eurasian Transport Network," and the "Eurasian Goods Distribution Network."