On Tuesday June 11, Tajik President received the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Petro Parolin on the margins of the Third International Conference on the International Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028”, according to the tajik president’s official website. 

In the course of the talks, the parties reportedly discussed issues related to expanding cooperation between Tajikistan and the Vatican. 

Tajik leader appreciated the Vatican's support for Tajikistan's international initiatives in the field of water and climate, and noted, “We consider your participation in today's important international event to be another example of this support.”  

The results of the high-level negotiations between Tajikistan and the Vatican, which took place on April 26, 2024, were considered an important step in the way of expanding further cooperation between the two sides.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on pressing issues of the international community, such as climate change, its impact on the environment, issues of drinking water shortage and reducing its damage to the economy of countries.

They reportedly considered it necessary to expand the bilateral in the fields of humanitarian, cultural, scientific, and tourism ties.

The parties also  expressed confidence that their joint efforts would give a new impetus to the process of development and expansion of favorable relations between Tajikistan and the Vatican.

They also exchanged views on a number of international issues being of mutual interest, the Tajik president’s official website added. 

As the Pope's first collaborator in the governance of the universal Church, the Cardinal Secretary of State is the one primarily responsible for the diplomatic and political activity of the Holy See.  The Cardinal Secretary of State coordinates the work of the Roman Curia, oversees the operation of the Vatican press office and newspaper, coordinates the preparation and publication of papal documents, and supervises the work of Vatican nuncios in their relations with Catholic communities in individual countries and with national governments.