On September 22, 2020, on the margins of the IAEA General Conference, a joint statement was signed between the Republic of Tajikistan and the United States of America on countering nuclear smuggling.

Participants expressed their common commitment to support initiatives to counter smuggling of nuclear materials as outlined in the National Action Plan of the Republic of Tajikistan on the implementation of UNSCR 1540.

Both sides expressed great satisfaction with the implementation of current projects in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD). In particular, the successful project implementation on the comprehensive installation of radiation detection systems by the U.S. Department of Energy at Dushanbe International Airport was noted.

Participants also discussed future projects, in particular, the joint "Green Border Security Initiative" on the border with Afghanistan through new equipment deployments and support to front-line officers in enhancing the counter nuclear smuggling capabilities in these frontier areas. Planned deployments of radiation detection systems by the NSDD program at new customs checkpoints were also discussed. The issues of joint cooperation between the nuclear forensics laboratory of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Agency, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the United States of America were also discussed.

The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Agency, National Academy of Sciences, using this occasion, also thanked the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration for their other programs ORS and INSEP and commended the implementation of joint projects in the field of radiological security and safeguards.

The Participants recognized the importance of these recent achievements and will remain optimistic that continued cooperation will go a long way towards enhancing both regional and global nuclear security.