Tajikistan Says UNSC Bid Is About Contribution, Not Status
Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin says his country would focus on dialogue, cooperation and upholding the UN Charter if elected for the 2028-29 term.
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 27: Tajikistan has said its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is driven by a desire to contribute to global peace and security rather than gain international prestige.
Addressing the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin outlined Dushanbe’s priorities as it seeks election for the 2028-29 term. India has also entered the contest for the single seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group.
Muhriddin said strengthening the United Nations would require member states to take on greater responsibilities. He described Tajikistan’s candidacy as a historic step, noting that the country was seeking a place on the Council for the first time.
He said Tajikistan would draw on its experience of overcoming conflict and pursuing peace, as well as its approach to resolving difficult border issues through dialogue and compromise.
The minister said a place on the Security Council would carry an obligation to uphold the UN Charter, consider the views of countries of different sizes and work towards consensus on issues where divisions remain.
The contest gained added attention during the UN General Assembly’s high-level session after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Muhriddin on Thursday. The two discussed regional developments and bilateral cooperation.
India formally launched its campaign for the 2028-29 Security Council term in July at the UN headquarters. Jaishankar said India’s approach would be guided by “SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity.”
India has identified several priorities for its campaign, including strengthening the voice of the Global South, promoting reforms in multilateral institutions, preparing peacekeeping for future challenges, addressing risks arising from the misuse of artificial intelligence, protecting maritime commons and tackling terror financing.
The election for the 2028-29 term is scheduled for June next year. India and Tajikistan are competing for the lone seat assigned to the Asia-Pacific Group.
India last served on the 15-member Security Council during 2021-22 and has previously held a non-permanent seat eight times.
