Note to our readers: Background Notes are no longer being updated or produced. They are being replaced with Fact Sheets focusing on U.S. relations with countries and other areas and providing links to additional resources. For archived versions of Background Notes, visit http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/.
More information about Tajikistan is available on the Tajikistan Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-TAJIKISTAN RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Tajikistan in 1992 following its independence from the Soviet Union. Tajikistan faces many challenges, including a long border with Afghanistan that is difficult to manage, widespread corruption, inadequate health and education systems, and food and energy shortages. Regional threats include extremism, radicalization, terrorism, and drugs.
Stability and economic growth in Tajikistan are critical to achieving overall regional stability and to strengthening regional economic integration. The United States and Tajikistan have a broad-based relationship, cooperating in such areas as counter-narcotics, counterterrorism, non-proliferation, and regional growth and stability. In 2010, the United States and Tajikistan launched an annual bilateral consultation process to enhance cooperation. Tajikistan has been a strong partner to the United States and international forces in efforts to bring security and peace to Afghanistan, playing an important role in supply and transit routes.
U.S. Assistance to Tajikistan
U.S. Government assistance to Tajikistan seeks to help defense and law enforcement agencies counter transnational threats, improve local governance and transparency, increase food security and public health services, and reform the education system, particularly focusing on creating opportunities for youth to contribute to society. A fact sheet on U.S. assistance to Tajikistan can be found here.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Tajikistan is one of the world’s poorest countries, and it depends on remittances and commodity exports that make it vulnerable to global economic conditions. The country is pursuing World Trade Organization accession, which the United States supports. Tajikistan has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the United States and other Central Asian countries establishing a regional forum to discuss ways to improve investment climates and expand trade within Central Asia.
Tajikistan's Membership in International Organizations
Tajikistan and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. Tajikistan is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Partnership for Peace and an observer to the World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan is Susan Elliott; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Tajikistan maintains an embassy in the United States at 1005 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037 (tel.: 202-223-6090).
More information about Tajikistan is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Tajikistan Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Tajikistan Page
U.S. Embassy: Tajikistan
History of U.S. Relations With Tajikistan
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information
