Tajikistan, UNICEF discuss AI-based soil contamination mapping and climate cooperation

Tajikistan and UNICEF discussed cooperation on environmental programs, including the use of artificial intelligence to map soil contamination and pesticide-related risks, along with efforts on climate education and green skills.

Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan, met last week with UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan Gabriella Akimova to review the progress of environmental initiatives and consider further cooperation. The programs discussed at the meeting are in line with Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy through 2030 and the priorities set out in the 2027 Joint Work Plan.

One topic was cooperation through the National Center for the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The convention deals with chemicals that persist in the environment for long periods and can build up in ecosystems. Within this framework, Tajikistan and UNICEF discussed a joint initiative that would use artificial intelligence to map areas affected by soil contamination and identify pesticide-related risks.

The initiative would especially examine the possible effects of soil contamination and pesticide-related risks on children and communities. The information provided does not give a timeline for the project or specify which geographic areas would be included in the mapping.

The two sides also reviewed Tajikistan’s work on its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are part of the country’s climate commitments. The NDC discussions focused on measures related to protecting children and young people, as well as developing climate education and green skills.

The meeting also addressed how these areas could be integrated into environmental and climate programs as Tajikistan moves toward the goals of its National Development Strategy through 2030.