Independence and freedom are the most valuable benefits that have given the Tajik people the full right to control their own destiny, and our society has entered the general process of human history as a democratic state. When we pronounce these words, each of us is filled with high feelings of great love for the Motherland and patriotism, as well as national pride.

Since the Tajik cultural nation, as a sovereign and civilized nation, had the idea of independence in various periods of its historical existence, it was able to fight against the oppression of foreigners and numerous conflicts of different times, maintain its unity and life values and passed them on to future generations.

Fortunately, on September 9, 1991, at a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Resolution and Declaration "On the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan" were adopted, which introduced fundamental changes in the life cycle, history and destiny of the people. Every year this day is celebrated as the Day of State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan. 33 years have passed since this historical date. 33 years, not only every year, but every hour and every day are written in golden letters on the pages of the book of young but ancient Tajikistan and are considered a good example of learning from experience.

State independence is a great achievement in the history of Tajik statehood. Independence is a valuable and key concept, the achievement of which is a great honor for any nation. The independence of the state helped to ensure stable development of the country, increase the level of well-being of the people, achieve great results in political, social and cultural life.

The noble Tajik people, thanks to the original wisdom and efforts of the wise sons and daughters of the nation, overcame the most difficult days and step by step achieved success, overcoming problems. Over the past years of national independence, we have managed to achieve peace and stability, national unity, lay the foundations for the transition to a new political-economic, socio-cultural system, the basis of an independent state of Tajiks. Despite all the existing problems, we were able to ensure the connection of our society with the modern civilized world, the essence and entity of which is the democratic system.

Independence is considered a great and sacred achievement of the ancient and cultural Tajik people. That is why we celebrate this great event with a sense of pride and honor. State independence for our civilized nation is a unique and great historical phenomenon, which includes a number of fateful events. First of all, it should be understood that independence is the highest and most valuable achievement of the Tajik people over the past ten centuries. Independence is a symbol of sovereignty and patriotism of the proud and wise Tajik people. That is why this phenomenon is a sign of originality and freedom, pride and honor, a symbol of happiness and constancy of the sovereign Tajik nation.

If we look at the history of the period of independence of Tajikistan, we will see that during this period, all spheres of society began to develop step by step and the most important national and strategic goals were realized with the direct initiative of the Head of State, respected Emomali Rahmon, which created an opportunity for the country to strengthen the socio-economic situation in the country and to a serious impetus to the level of well-being of society. As the Founder of National Peace and Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon stated in his Address dedicated to the 32nd anniversary of State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, delivered on September 8, 2023: "Independence and freedom for us are a true symbol of pride for the Motherland and patriotism, the greatest opportunity to create a state and independent statehood, inspiring determination and constructive efforts to ensure the development of the state, prosperity of the Motherland, peaceful life of the people of Tajikistan and raising the living standard of each family in the country. Today, from the glorious history of our independent state over the past thirty-two years, it is clear that this period is not very long compared to the ancient history of our people, but is considered rare in terms of the scale of work carried out during this period. After the proclamation of independence, our dear Tajikistan embarked on the path of building a new national statehood and in very sensitive and tragic conditions, i.e., the imposed civil war, acquired state symbols that represent our new independent state in the international arena and are a source of pride for every citizen of the country."

In fact, the constant reminders of the Head of State require from every conscious citizen of the country a deep understanding of the importance of independence and freedom, a national state, peace and tranquility, political stability and national unity, as well as making their patriotic contribution to strengthening and reinforcement the system of governance of a democratic, legal and secular statehood, which was chosen by the desire and will of the people of Tajikistan.

Observations show that over the past few years, and especially in this historic year for Tajikistan, the worthy, honest and patriotic Tajik people have transformed the entire territory of the country into a great field of creative work and creative activity in order to welcome the holy and great national holiday - the thirty-third anniversary of State independence: every day from one or another corner of the country comes a good message of creation and construction.

Analyses show that the process of purification, creation, construction and renewal in all sectors and areas was given a serious impetus thanks to the introduction of programs at the beginning with three strategic goals - "breaking the communication deadlock", "ensuring food security of the country" and "achieving energy independence". The fourth national goal, "rapid industrialization of the country," is also a continuation of the three goals mentioned, which has had a positive effect on creating a real foundation for the development of other areas in the country, including improvement of the economy. That is why the economic development of the country is considered an important factor in strengthening national unity during the era of independence. Taking these factors into account, new enterprises were built in different regions of the country and new jobs were created, which brought to the development of a particular area and an increase in the economic level of members of society. Much constructive work has been done around these four national goals to date, and today we have already broken the communication deadlock, the country’s food security has been ensured, and energy independence has been achieved.

In fact, the new historical process of the end of the 20th – beginning of the 21st century put very complex, responsible and difficult tasks on the shoulders of the newly independent state of Tajikistan. During these years, the Tajik people laid the foundations of their new statehood, gained real political independence and was recognized as rightful international subject. It was state independence that created the conditions for the recognition of Tajikistan as an independent state in the international arena.

As the Leader of the Nation stated 23 years ago during his speech in honor of the 10th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan on September 8, 2001: "Independence is a passport of the existence of a rightful and sovereign state of Tajiks in the world community, which independently implements its system of statehood, domestic and foreign policy, social, economic and cultural policy. Independence is a symbol of possession of the State and Homeland for the proud and civilized Tajik people, who wrote its destiny with its own hands, found its special path and suitable status and position in the international community, resonates the pulse of our state and nation with the pulse of the planet."

Indeed, State independence, along with the country's domestic policy, created the basis for perfection of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan and maintaining good relations of cooperation with most of foreign countries in the field of politics and economics, trade and energy, transport, communications, agriculture, youth, industry and security. Here we can mention the "open door policy" launched in 2003. Thanks to this process, the Republic of Tajikistan has managed to strengthen its position in the international policy.

Another important and gratifying phenomenon, which, thanks to Tajikistan’s independence, has given its foreign policy an even more positive impetus, is the timely and targeted proposals of the Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon at the international level, related to water issues.

It should be emphasized that so far 6 proposals in this direction have received the support of the international community, especially the UN. Even the UN supported them and adopted resolutions within their framework, which testifies to the stable position and influence of Tajikistan under the leadership of the Head of State, respected Emomali Rahmon in the international arena. International Year of Clean Water, 2003, International Decade of Action "Water for Life", 2005-2015, International Year of Water Cooperation, 2013, International Decade of Action "Water for Sustainable Development", 2018-2028, "International Year of Glacier Protection", 2025, and finally, the "Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences", 2025-2034, which was proposed by the Republic of Tajikistan and the French Republic, and on August 13 of this year, the UN General Assembly adopted it.

In this regard, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the respected Emomali Rahmon, spoke at the UN 72nd session and emphasized that the issue of water and its supply is one of the most important issues of humanity and requires collective action and a serious attitude. At the same time, the Republic of Tajikistan, as an active member of influential regional and global organizations, determines its position, presenting advantageous proposals for solving important issues of the modern world.

Thus, State independence is an outstanding sign of the stability of the state, the survival and image of the nation, a symbol of national identity, a burning torch of historical dreams, an international passport, as well as the honor and prestige of the accession of the independent country of Tajikistan to the civilized world.

Taking into account the constant reminders of the Honorary Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon regarding the state of the modern world, including rapid armament, the ever-increasing intensification of the "cold war", new global threats and dangers such as terrorism and extremism, religious radicalism, drug production and trafficking, cybercrime and other transnational organized crimes, we need to try harder than ever to protect national security, which is the most important condition for the stability of the state and the peaceful life of the people. That is, we must always be watchful and smart, and ready to protect the security of the state and the achievements of the time of independence - peace and tranquility, political stability and national unity.

We must always be collected and united, love our dear Motherland with all our hearts and direct all our efforts and capabilities to the development of our country and the prosperity of our ancestral land. The most important sign of patriotism of each person is pride in the achievements of the independent state of Tajikistan and efforts to further strengthen it. Every person who considers himself the master of his country and considers the concepts of independence and freedom sacred, must focus all his thoughts and actions on preparing each celebration of independence, especially the 35th anniversary of this fateful event, for a new stage of self-awareness, national pride, love for the Motherland and patriotism and the expansion of construction and development.
 

Olimjhon AZIZOV – Head of the Department of International Relations and Public Relations of the Agency for CBRN Safety and Security at NAST, PhD in Technical Sciences
 

Zarobudin Shirinov – Specialist of the Department of International Relations and Public Relations of the Agency for CBRN Safety and Security at NAST