Background
Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dependence on glacier-fed hydrological systems. The country has already lost approximately 30% of its glacier area since 1930, while rising temperatures, increasing hydrological variability and more frequent extreme weather events are intensifying risks across the water–energy–food nexus. Water-related hazards account for more than 70% of natural disasters in the country and can cause economic losses of up to 1.4% of GDP annually.
Despite improvements in hydrometeorological infrastructure, significant gaps remain in the availability, quality and use of climate data. Observation networks remain sparse, particularly in high-altitude areas, while satellite observations are not systematically integrated into national workflows. These limitations affect the reliability and timeliness of climate information needed for water resource management, agricultural planning, disaster preparedness and early warning.
Tajikistan also lacks a centralized, AI-ready data management system capable of integrating multiple data sources and conducting automated quality control. Data quality assurance remains largely manual, while limited computing infrastructure, technical expertise in AI and Earth Observation, and data governance constraints further limit institutional capacity. As a result, decision-making on water allocation, reservoir management, agriculture and disaster risk reduction can be affected by incomplete or unreliable climate information.
CTCN Support
Through the CTCN technical assistance, Tajikistan will develop and pilot an AI-enabled climate data management and quality control system, starting with a proof-of-concept in the Dushanbe region focused on temperature and humidity observations. The support will include an assessment of existing climate data systems and the development of a national framework for the collection, storage, processing and sharing of climate data, integrating ground observations, satellite data and other relevant sources. AI-ready data standards and practical approaches for using integrated climate datasets for early warning, water management and climate risk analysis will also be developed.
The technical assistance will further develop and validate AI-based anomaly detection and automated quality-control methods, strengthen institutional capacity through technical training and knowledge transfer, and develop a national scale-up roadmap, sustainability and financing strategy, and investment-oriented concept note to support future deployment.
Expected Outcome
The technical assistance will improve institutional and technical capacity in Tajikistan to manage, validate and use climate data through an AI-enabled and integrated data management approach. This will result in more reliable climate information and enhanced decision-making for water resource management and disaster risk reduction, while establishing a clear pathway for national-scale deployment and future investment.
Seeking experts
The CTCN invites qualified experts and firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in this initiative. For further information on this opportunity, visit the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM) or the UN website. Deadline for applications: 4 September 2026.
If you are not yet a member of the CTCN Network, you can apply to join here.
