TEHRAN -- Iran and Tajikistan have taken further steps to strengthen their longstanding cultural, linguistic and literary ties through academic conferences, book exhibitions, heritage visits and plans for closer cooperation between cultural institutions. 
Recent events in Dushanbe and Tehran have highlighted shared Persian-language traditions, the preservation of literary heritage and opportunities to expand cooperation in publishing, translation and linguistic research.
The Committee on Language and Terminology of the Republic of Tajikistan hosted an international academic and research conference at the National Library of Tajikistan from October 15 to 18, 2026. 
The event brought together linguists, researchers, university professors and literary scholars from Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
The conference was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sukhidad Rahmatullahzoda, chairman of the Committee on Language and Terminology. 
According to Iranian researcher Muhammad Hassan Moqiseh, who attended the gathering, organizers received 200 papers and selected 147 for presentation. Nearly 100 academic papers were read and discussed on October 16 following the reading of a message from the President of Tajikistan.
The conference concluded with a resolution highlighting two major proposals. The first called for regional gatherings of linguists and literary scholars from countries sharing linguistic and cultural traditions to be held every five years. 
The second proposed submitting a formal request to the United Nations to recognize “Tajik-Persian” as one of the official languages used in UN documents.
Moqiseh also emphasized Tajikistan’s efforts to preserve and develop its Persian linguistic heritage since independence in 1991. 
During the Soviet period, Russian terminology became widespread in administrative, military, medical and geographical fields. Following independence, Tajik scholars increasingly sought Persian equivalents for foreign terms. Approximately 3,000 Persian words have reportedly been approved as replacements for foreign vocabulary.
On Saturday, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance for Cultural Affairs Mohsen Javadi met with Tajikistan’s Minister of Culture Matlubakhon Sattoriyon on the sidelines of the 14th Dushanbe International Book Fair.
The meeting was also attended by Ebrahim Heydari, managing director of Iran’s Book and Literature
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