From 16–18 March 2026, representatives of Caritas organizations from across Central Asia gathered in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the Central Asia Sub-Regional Meeting. The event brought together participants from Caritas Kyrgyzstan, Caritas Mongolia, Caritas Kazakhstan, Caritas Turkmenistan, and the host organization, Caritas Tajikistan. Ari Nugroho, Program Officer from Caritas Asia, also participated in the meeting. Over the course of three days, participants exchanged experiences, discussed common challenges, and strengthened cooperation among Caritas organizations in the region.
The first day began with a visit to the Caritas Tajikistan office. During the meeting, representatives of Caritas Tajikistan presented their tuberculosis (TB) project, which focuses particularly on counteracting the spread of TB in prisons. Participants learned more about the scale of the issue and the organization’s efforts in prevention, education, and support for vulnerable groups affected by the disease.
Later, the delegation visited one of Caritas Tajikistan’s water projects dedicated to building deep wells in areas where access to clean water is limited. Participants traveled to a village where the project had already reached an advanced stage of implementation. The field visit provided valuable insight into the direct impact of Caritas’ humanitarian and development work on local communities. Access to safe drinking water significantly improves living conditions, supports public health, and strengthens resilience to difficult climatic and economic conditions.
The second day focused on updates from Caritas Internationalis, including discussions on the Partnership Principle, Modus Operandi, and the Accompaniment Plan for Central Asia.
The third day focused on presentations from the Central Asia Member Organizations and strategic discussions. Each organization presented its geopolitical context, including the operational conditions for Caritas and the Church’s social mission, legal registration matters, and administrative challenges. Participants also shared organizational updates regarding strategic plans, structures, staffing, and volunteer engagement.
Special attention was given to flagship projects and key achievements of each organization. Participants discussed current challenges faced in the region as well as opportunities for collaboration, fundraising, and resource mobilization. The sessions also helped participants better understand Caritas standards and the strategic plan of Caritas Asia, which forms part of the broader Caritas Internationalis strategy.
The introductory presentations from each Member Organization allowed participants to better understand what unites the Caritas organizations in Central Asia and what they can learn from one another. This was followed by practical working sessions demonstrating how the plans of the Member Organizations could be aligned with the Caritas Asia strategic framework. During these sessions, participants explored what Caritas Asia can offer to individual Member Organizations, as well as what the Member Organizations themselves can contribute to other MOs and to Caritas Asia.
In summary, the meeting in Dushanbe was both necessary and highly valuable. It took place in a very professional yet friendly atmosphere and further strengthened regional cooperation and solidarity among Caritas organizations working across Central Asia.
Fr. Tomasz Pys
(Director of Caritas Kazakhstan)
Central Asia Sub-Regional Meeting 2026 in Dushanbe
