On 14 and 15 May 2026, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supported the participation of representatives from Tajikistan in the Regional Forum on "Women's Leadership for Peace and Sustainable Economic Development of Border Areas" in Batken City, Kyrgyz Republic. The event brought together more than 100 representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, youth networks, private sector actors and international partners from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Building on the First Fergana Peace Forum held in October 2025 following the historic Khujand Declaration, the Forum aimed to strengthen trust and co-operation among border communities by promoting women's leadership in peacebuilding and sustainable economic development.
The event also supported the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 by promoting women's participation in conflict prevention, decision-making and regional co-operation.
Participants discussed women's leadership in peacebuilding and decision-making processes, women's entrepreneurship and access to finance, cross-border trade, support mechanisms for women-led initiatives, green and sustainable solutions, as well as opportunities in the digital and creative economy. The programme also included an EXPO exhibition of regional products, sessions on cross-border business opportunities and visits to women-led businesses in Batken.
Opening the Forum, the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Ambassador Salome Steib highlighted the importance of the recently signed Khujand Declaration in transforming border areas into spaces of co-operation, opportunity and sustainable peace. She emphasized the role of women in strengthening economic resilience and community trust, noting that women's economic empowerment and protection from gender-based violence are important for long-term security, stability and inclusive decision-making across the region.
