On June 21, 2018, Prof. Chen Xi signed a memorandum with UNDP Tajikistan, UNDP Uzbekistan, and UNDP Kazakhstan: Jointly declare the research project of water, ecology and disaster in Central Asia, with a planned investment of 2 million US dollars.

On September 27th, 2018, the director of the Research Center for Ecology and Environmental in Central Asia (RCEECA) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Chen Xi, and the dean of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Dr. Farhod Rahimi, signed a memorandum of “the Joint Research Project on China-Tajikistan Water and Sciences”, in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. The joint scientific research Program represents the official initiation of this program.

The “the Joint Research Project on China-Tajikistan Water and Sciences” aims to realize the decisions of Summit forum in the United Nations’ Decade Program of "Water and Sustainable Development" (2018-2028), hosted from June 20th to 22nd this year in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. In addition, this joint research project is also the implement of Pan-TPE research program established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

This program aims to build a platform for scientific exchanges and research between Chinese and Tajikistan scientists, form an international cooperative research team, establish a joint survey of Tajikistan glaciers, hydrology and water resources utilization, biodiversity and ecosystem change, disaster warning and UAV applications. Four international cooperation projects are being held to actively address environmental issues in the context of climate change and achieve the goal of regional economic and social sustainable development. The first phase of the plan will be implemented from 2019 to 2021, and the Tajik Academy of Sciences will provide all necessary guarantees and support for the implementation of the plan.

On the initiative ceremony, Prof. Farhod Rahimi reviewed the scientific and technological cooperation between the Chinese and Tajikistan academies of Sciences, especially the work of Dushanbe Branch Center of Research Center of Ecology and Environment in Central Aisa of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He summarized the achievements of the two sides in platform construction, academic exchanges, talents training and cooperative research, and introduced the background of the joint research project. Prof. Chen Xi introduced the research background, research objectives and contents, team organization and so on, and answered the questions raised by the delegates. nearly 100 people from all places and participated in the start-up meeting, including Mr. Mahmadzoda Jamshed Bobokhon, Vice-Chairman of the Tajikistan Emergency Response and Civil Defence Commission, and representatives of relevant ministries and ministries, the head of the relevant institutes of the Tajikistan Academy of Sciences and scientific researchers, the concerning delegates from Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography.