Under the Global Gateway–Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia: Cybersecurity Component, Brussels is helping Tajikistan build up its national cybersecurity infrastructure, drawing on knowledge from the e-Governance Academy (eGA). At the Taj-Tech 2026 International Forum held in Dushanbe, eGA specialists presented findings and insights from their collaborative efforts with the country.
The eGA's work alongside Tajik counterparts has focused on three main areas: reinforcing cybersecurity governance frameworks and legal structures, establishing cyber incident response systems, and training a new generation of cybersecurity specialists.
Cross-border engagement forms a central pillar of the initiative. Through delegations, expert meetings, international gatherings and cyber diplomacy channels, eGA has brought Tajik cybersecurity professionals into contact with the global cyber community, enabling them to share practical insights and build lasting networks.
During talks with Tajikistan's Agency of Innovation and Digital Transformation, Hannes Astok underscored why cybersecurity collaboration matters for creating an open, trustworthy digital space. "As the cyber threats cross national borders and AI allows malicious actors to increase the speed and scale of their operations, effective cybersecurity increasingly depends on capable institutions, skilled professionals, and strong international cooperation. Supporting Tajik government in building professional skills and international networks, eGA helps Tajikistan respond more effectively to cyber incidents," Astok said.
On the second day of Taj-Tech 2026, Merle Maigre, who leads eGA's project team, outlined the academy's achievements in Tajikistan and described how the EU and Estonia approach cybersecurity and the creation of trustworthy digital environments. "Estonia learned from firsthand experience that the government's transparency surrounding its digital services is only as valuable as its ability to adequately explain complex technical systems to everyday citizens. People need to understand how their data is used, stored, and protected. While AI is clearly the tool of the moment, it is not about the technology, but fundamentally about the value you want to create for the people," Maigre stated.
The prominent EU presence at Taj-Tech 2026 sets the stage for the next phase of collaboration between eGA and Tajikistan's Agency of Innovation and Digital Technologies. The partnership will advance through the Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia: Cybersecurity Component, which operates under the broader Global Gateway framework.
