United Nations in Kyrgyz Republic

The UN and its partners in Kyrgyzstan are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice for development that works for all people. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important to act in cooperation.

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Speech

12 December 2020

UN Secretary-General António Guterres: Carbon neutrality by 2050 is the world’s most urgent mission

As the world marks the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, a promising movement for carbon neutrality is taking shape. By next month, countries representing more than 65 per cent of harmful greenhouse gasses and more than 70 per cent of the world economy will have committed to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century. At the same time, the main climate indicators are worsening. While the Covid-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced emissions, carbon dioxide levels are still at record highs – and rising. The past decade was the hottest on record; Arctic sea ice in October was the lowest ever, and apocalyptic fires, floods, droughts and storms are increasingly the new normal. Biodiversity is collapsing, deserts are spreading, oceans are warming and choking with plastic waste. Science tells us that unless we cut fossil fuel production by 6 per cent every year between now and 2030, things will get worse. Instead, the word is on track for a 2 per cent annual rise. Pandemic recovery gives us an unexpected yet vital opportunity to attack climate change, fix our global environment, re-engineer economies and re-imagine our future. Here is what we must do: First, we need build a truly global coalition for carbon neutrality by 2050. The European Union has committed to do so. The United Kingdom, Japan, the Republic of Korea and more than 110 countries have done the same. So, too, has the incoming United States administration. China has pledged to get there before 2060. Every country, city, financial institution and company should adopt plans for net zero -- and act now to get on the right path to that goal, which means cutting global emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 compared with 2010 levels. In advance of next November’s UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, Governments are obligated by the Paris Agreement to be ever more ambitious every five years and submit strengthened commitments known as Nationally Determined Contributions, and these NDCs must show true ambition for carbon neutrality. Technology is on our side. It costs more to simply run most of today’s coal plants than it does to build new renewable plants from scratch. Economic analysis 2 confirms the wisdom of this path. According to the International Labour Organization, despite inevitable job losses, the clean energy transition will create 18 million net new jobs by 2030. But we must recognize the human costs of decarbonization, and support workers with social protection, re-skilling and up-skilling so that the transition is just. Second, we need to align global finance with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s blueprint for a better future. It is time to put a price on carbon; end fossil fuel subsidies and finance; stop building new coal power plants; shift the tax burden from income to carbon, from taxpayers to polluters; make climate-related financial risk disclosures mandatory; and integrate the goal of carbon neutrality into all economic and fiscal decision- making. Banks must align their lending with the net zero objective, and asset owners and managers must decarbonize their portfolios. Third, we must secure a breakthrough on adaptation and resilience to help those already facing dire impacts of climate change. That’s not happening enough today: adaptation represents only 20 per cent of climate finance. This hinders our efforts to reduce disaster risk. It also isn’t smart; every $1 invested in adaptation measures could yield almost $4 in benefits. Adaptation and resilience are especially urgent for small island developing states, for which climate change is an existential threat. Next year gives us a wealth of opportunities to address our planetary emergencies, through major United Nations conferences and other efforts on biodiversity, oceans, transport, energy, cities and food systems. One of our best allies is nature itself: nature-based solutions could provide one-third of the net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Indigenous knowledge can help to point the way. And as humankind devises strategies for preserving the environment and building a green economy, we need more women decision-makers at the table. COVID and climate have brought us to a threshold. We cannot go back to the old normal of inequality and fragility; instead we must step towards a safer, more sustainable path. This is a complex policy test and an urgent moral test. With decisions today setting our course for decades to come, we must make pandemic recovery and climate action two sides of the same coin.

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11 January 2021

Interactive TV series about HIV launched in Kyrgyzstan

A new television series for young people in the Kyrgyz language, School Elections, was launched online last week. During six 15–20-minute episodes, a girl, Ayana, who is living with HIV, tells her story of bullying, friendship and the fight for human dignity. The producers of the series hope that Ayana’s example will give hope to young people who face similar challenges. “We have a simple idea to promote: you may differ from others in your health, appearance or level of wealth. But regardless of this, we all deserve respect, friendship, love and happiness. This series is about kindness and acceptance of others as they are,” said Azim Azimov, Head of Production at the Media Kitchen production studio and the main screenwriter of the series. Starting on 6 November, new episodes will be aired weekly on YouTube and will also be broadcast on television, Instagram and the teens.kg youth project website. Additionally, each series has one to three interactive episodes—the leading actors invite the viewers to look at the problems raised in the series through the viewers’ eyes, experience each situation for themselves and make their own decisions. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 30% of students around the world experience various forms of bullying at the hands of their classmates. Students who are perceived as “different” are often subjected to bullying for reasons of appearance, health status, including HIV status, sexual orientation and gender identity, social status or the economic situation of the family. “This series tells people about the complex issue in simple and understandable language, to show how strong-willed and honest young people can overcome ignorance, indifference, cruelty and injustice, inspire others and change life for the better,” said Tigran Yepoyan, UNESCO Regional Adviser on HIV, Education and Health. “This series is a powerful new instrument for reducing stigma in our society, it not only shows the difficulties of living with HIV, discrimination and bullying but also motivates our adolescents not to be afraid to fight for dignity and justice and move forward towards their dreams,” said Meerim Sarybaeva, UNAIDS Country Director for Kyrgyzstan. The official soundtrack of the series, which was supported by the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and UNAIDS, was performed by the singer Ayim Ayilchieva.

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27 July 2022

UN Deputy Secretary-General: Amid challenges hope emerges in Central Asia

It’s your road, and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. Rumi I recently returned from an official visit to five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – where I saw first-hand concrete actions after 30 years of independence to meet the manifold challenges facing a region full of profound complexities and great potential. An international conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan focused on water for sustainable development formed a cornerstone of my visit. Water is a catalyst for peace and cooperation within the Central Asia region, and across borders with Afghanistan. The countries of Central Asia are harnessing water for green energy, climate-smart agriculture and improved access to drinking water. I witnessed their determination to advance the climate agenda with a strong commitment to multilateral solutions to enhance water resource management. The Aral Sea was once the fourth-largest lake in the world. Misplaced agricultural irrigation projects decades ago, coupled with rising temperatures, shrank the sea to just 10% of its original surface by the end of the 1990s. The Aral Sea climate catastrophe stretches far beyond national or regional lines. It is a global tragedy. The UN General Assembly declared the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovation and technologies, framing the region’s aspirations to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation as potential solutions for the world. Regional climate action is critical. Global warming is accelerating the melting of Central Asia’s glaciers, which play a vital role in the region’s water and ecosystem balance. The glaciers in Central Asia have receded by 25 percent in the last fifty years – with an equal amount expected to disappear in the next two decades. This is yet another reason for global action to urgently reduce emissions and meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. The Kyrgyz Republic has declared 2022 the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystems and Climate Resilience. I heard a clear commitment from the leaders of all five countries to do their part. The lack of financing is a serious obstacle to “greening” the region’s economies and conserving and restoring natural wealth, but ambition is notable. A greener economy combined with digitalization, will not only modernize the economies but also create new job opportunities in sectors that match global needs. It is also essential to rethink the region’s economic development pathway to make the most of the region’s demographic change. Central Asia is home to 76.5 million people, and that population is young – the median age is 27.6 years. I visited the University of Central Asia which provides the youth of the region opportunities not only to learn and grow intellectually, but also to establish the friendships and networks that will help advance regional growth and peace in the future. The youth I met throughout Central Asia shared with me their determination to shape their economies in productive ways – with emigration no longer having to be a default choice for many – and to have a seat at the table with their voices heard. I heard a similar message from women of all ages. They made a clear call for faster and far greater progress towards more equal and inclusive societies that ensure women’s economic empowerment, women’s rights and leadership. The global silent pandemic of gender-based violence, also presents a challenge which Central Asia must overcome including discriminatory practices, outdated societal norms, patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes in an effort to achieve full gender equality. This is essential to realize the contribution of Central Asia’s women to the region’s societal and economic transformation. In particular, digitalization offers an important pathway for connectivity, transforming education, improved governance and expansion of economic opportunity and inclusion. With greater efforts for openness and reform, there is unlimited potential for Central Asian economies. As with societies everywhere, an essential ingredient for social and economic transformation is strengthening human rights. While I see the glass as “some full,” the United Nations is keen to work together and support the countries of Central Asia fill the rest. Human rights must be at the centre and in the outcomes of all investments in the people of the region. As we accompany the people of the region on this journey, the United Nations will continue to represent and amplify the voices of the marginalized and vulnerable and offer solutions to achieve equality, justice and inclusion, cornerstones for sustainable development and sustaining peace in the region. In a region where borders are new, consensus is urgently needed to overcome tensions around disputed lines, paving the way for sustainable peace and regional economic and social growth. Taking action to prevent the spread of violent extremism and mitigate the impacts for people and economies of the war in Ukraine will require meticulous attention and upholding the rule of law, including international human rights law. Despite the many challenges, I left Central Asia full of hope. Change is happening. Challenges are being grasped. It is led by the vibrant young majority of the population who aspire to protect and nurture the beauty of the region’s natural environment and usher in social and economic changes. All of this can help assure an inclusive and sustainable future for all the people of Central Asia.

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12 April 2022

Meet Shirin Tolubaeva, who has devoted 40 years of her life to statistics and working with data

Meet Shirin Tolubaeva. She works as the head of the district statistics department in the Kara-Suu district of Osh province. She has devoted 40 years of her life to statistics and working with data. Shirin Tolubaeva came to work at the department of statistics back in 1982 after graduating from a technical school. She actively participated in organizing and conducting 4 Censuses in 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2022. Currently, Shirin Tolubaeva is coordinating the Census work in one of Kyrgyzstan's largest districts with a population of more than 450,000 people. There are currently 33 coordinators, 172 trainers and 1,706 enumerators in the area. During the pandemic, all enumerators were equipped with protective equipment with technical support from UNFPA. According to Shirin Tolubaeva, the Census is an opportunity to become involved in a big state event. “I have often had to explain to people why the Census is taking place in the first place: the state needs the information collected for a more accurate distribution of financial flows, to understand how to improve life in the country”, she said. Shirin Tolubaeva had a great responsibility on her fragile shoulders and despite all the difficulties and COVID-19, she continues to perform her duties responsibly and with great enthusiasm helps to collect data and information from the population, which will help the country to develop in the right direction. Learn more about UNFPA work in Kyrgyzstan.

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15 March 2022

A Perilous Plight: Connecting an isolated village in Southern Kyrgyzstan to the Internet

Zardaly, an isolated village up in the mountains in Southern Kyrgyzstan, is home to about 150 people who live without electricity and communication. A mountain trail is the only direct route to Zardaly and donkeys are the most reliable form of transport. According to Project Connect, of the 2,080 schools in Kyrgyzstan, 2,061 schools have already been connected, leaving only about 1% of schools still to be connected. Many of these schools are in harder-to-reach areas, like Zardaly, and other remote and mountainous villages, like Kyzyl-Oi and Enilchek. In the winter, connecting schools is almost impossible because the trail to Zardaly is blocked with snow. The lack of connectivity in Zardaly also discourages visitors. Guesthouses are often vacant and grandparents residing in Zardaly rarely see their grandchildren, who would prefer to be connected to the Internet during their visits. More urgently, in the event of a medical emergency, having an internet connection could assist with contacting officials to assess the weather conditions and determine if the road is open and safe to travel to the villages located in the lower valley. Alternatively, a doctor could be contacted for telehealth purposes. However, the lack of connectivity has not stripped the Zardaly residents of their creativity. In an effort to overcome the problem, several ingenious ideas have been put forward, including the Internet in a Box initiative – a device that stores a digital library that includes Khan Academy in Kyrgyz, thousands of video and audio lessons, e-books and Wikipedia in Kyrgyz, Russian and English. Not only is the Internet in a Box initiative tackling the issue of connectivity, but it is also helping to ensure that Kyrgyzstani cultural heritage is passed down as there are cartoons in Kyrgyz on the device as well, something not found too often elsewhere. Additionally, local residents have learnt to protect their devices from the harsh weather conditions in the region by using a plastic bottle to shield the live wires. While connecting schools in Zardaly is not an easy task, the surface has been scratched. Before the beginning of the pandemic, a team from the Kyrgyz Internet Society made a trip up to Zardaly, accompanied by a donkey. In order to charge the Internet in a Box and other electronic devices, they also took a large solar panel which they carefully carried up the trail. Connecting the last 1% of schools in Kyrgyzstan requires innovative technologies and financing solutions to ensure that they are connected to the Internet affordably and sustainably. Towards this ambitious agenda, in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, Giga launched a local competitive bidding process or Request for Proposals (RFP) for internet service providers to connect 13 of the hardest-to-reach schools in the country and extend the benefits of connectivity to the surrounding community. Connecting these schools, located in remote and mountainous regions, requires innovative technologies and ad-hoc network designs, as well as financing solutions to ensure that they are connected to the Internet affordably and sustainably. The two RFPs launched by Giga in August and October 2021 in search for providers who could offer a sustainable solution to connect these remote schools were unsuccessful. Giga did not receive any proposals from the telecom industry in the country. Some providers argued that each of these schools would require a tailored design and strategy to connect them to the Internet, thus driving this effort non-profitable. Others argued that the timeframe set by Giga to connect them in three to four months was challenging due to the winter months. In the coming months, Giga, in collaboration with the Kyrgyz Internet Society, will develop a playbook of connectivity solutions and business models to test and provide internet to schools in these remote and mountainous regions. Written by Lamia Farah

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28 January 2022

“Maybe one day I will be a great doctor too” – refugee student dreams to open hospital in Kyrgyzstan

Malikha, a 24-year-old Afghan refugee, studies medicine at Osh State University. She has been living in Kyrgyzstan with her parents and siblings since 2009. While still in school Malikha grew interested in biology and anatomy, and later realized that she wants to become a doctor. But as Malikha’s father is seriously ill and her parents also need to provide for four other children, Malikha’s dream appeared completely out of reach. That was until Malikha contacted the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for advice and learnt about the DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme, which offers refugee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree. “When I learnt about the programme, I immediately started collecting documents and making other preparations to apply. I was very anxious because my whole future depended on this scholarship. It was my only hope to receive a good education,” says Malikha. After a competitive selection process Malikha was awarded a DAFI scholarship. Malikha cherishes the opportunity to study medicine and is determined to become a good professional: “I am very happy to get a chance to study, to realize myself in society. I know my parents and my whole family will be proud of me.” In her free time Malikha reads books about medicine and the biographies of famous doctors, dreaming that one day she herself may become a great doctor too. In future she would like to open a hospital in Kyrgyzstan, to help poor people who cannot afford high quality medical assistance. "DAFI gives us refugees opportunities and hopes for future. I hope one day we will be able to help other young people who need support and want to change this world for the better.” Education helps people forced to flee build better futures. It also enables refugees to develop professional skills and knowledge that they can use for the benefit of their host community. But globally just 3% of refugees are currently enrolled in higher education. UNHCR works together with partners, including the DAFI programme, to provide displaced children access to quality education so they can pursue better lives. Through the dedicated support of the governments of Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, UNHCR and private donors, the DAFI programme has supported over 18,000 young refugees globally to undertake tertiary studies since 1992. Malikha is one of 83 refugee youths in Kyrgyzstan who have yet benefitted from DAFI scholarships since 1997.

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Malikha, Afghan refugee, studies at medical university in Kyrgyzstan thanks to DAFI scholarship

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30 March 2022

The Iron Horse: Improving animal and human health in Kyrgyzstan

Dr Maksat Usupbaeva zooms up the steep, winding roads of Kyrgyzstan’s Barskoon district on her motorcycle. She is one of a rising generation of veterinarians confidently riding “iron horses”, as they like to call them, to isolated rural communities. In Kyrgyzstan, a country where over half of all land area is pastureland, herding cows and other livestock is central to the national economy, society and culture. But the nation has long lacked enough trained veterinarians to care for all these animals, and crossing Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous, sparsely populated landscapes to reach the herding communities who need their services remains a challenge. As a result, one of the biggest challenges herders face relates to the health of their animals. Serious illnesses are common in their herds, such as brucellosis, a bacterial infection that humans can also contract. This, combined with the other challenges common to the sector – degraded pasturelands, disputes over land rights – has kept the productivity of Kyrgyzstan’s livestock sector low and its value chains underdeveloped. Many herders (and their animals) thus find themselves facing constant poverty and repeated threats to their health. Since 2012, however, IFAD has invested over US$70 million through the LMDP project, implemented by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, and its successor LMDP-II. Together, these projects are helping 2.6 million of the nation’s rural-dwellers build a stronger pastoral economy. Dr Usupbaeva departs to visit a farmer after receiving a call. Investing in health and wealth An important part of this support has been investing in the capacity of private veterinarians and engaging them in the provision of veterinary services, in partnership with the public sector. In 2018, the Government of Kyrgyzstan embedded privatized veterinary services into a revised legal framework. This model is now being implemented systematically across the country, with the support of IFAD. The motorcycle initiative is a key part of this model. Dr Usupbaeva is the recipient of one of nearly 630 motorcycles provided to veterinarians by IFAD. Light, fast and easily manoeuvrable on narrow, winding roads, motorcycles are proving to be a cost-effective way to traverse Kyrgyzstan’s mountain passages. The model also promotes the training of new veterinarians. To date, over 100 students have been awarded scholarships to study veterinary science at the Kyrgyzstan National Agrarian University under the LMPD and LMPD-II. As a result of the cooperation between IFAD and the Kyrgyz Government, the number of veterinarians has almost doubled, from 1,500 in 2013 to 2,600 in 2018. For these young graduates, being a veterinarian is more than just a job. It’s a chance to start a professional career in their home villages, and to contribute to the development of their communities and the well-being of their inhabitants. Such is the case for Dr Anarbek uulu Musabek, a 23-year-old resident of Birlesken village. His father died early in Dr uulu Musabek’s childhood, leaving his mother to care for him and his five siblings. But thanks to the scholarship he received through LMPD-II, he now has a way to build a livelihood in his home region and support his family. Dr Usupbaeva consults with a farmer. Trained veterinarians usher in change Traveling veterinarians are already making a difference. Most recently, they’ve been helping the government conduct a vaccination programme to control echinococcosis, a parasitic disease that mainly affects sheep and dogs but can also infect humans. These efforts build on a previous IFAD-funded project in which veterinarians were deployed to control brucellosis through training and vaccination drives. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, these IFAD-supported campaigns are already bearing fruit. The number of cases of brucellosis in humans has dropped – from 4,412 cases per year in 2011 to less than 500 in 2020 – and the incidence of echinococcosis in humans is decreasing, too. And with improved access to veterinary care, animals are healthier – and more productive. Sales of products like milk and meat are up, and herders are benefiting from increased incomes. One study, for example, found that small herding households are now eating more meals a day, have better sanitation and drinking water, own more assets such as vehicles and household appliances, and make greater use of agricultural equipment. Visible improvements have also taken place in roads and other infrastructure, permitting access to more distant pastures. These and other IFAD-funded initiatives in Kyrgyzstan have revolutionized the way these families – and everyone who supports them, including their veterinarians – carry out their work. As Dr Usupbaeva says, “Our work has become easier thanks to the support received from IFAD.” Learn more about IFAD’s work in Kyrgyzstan.

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Dr Usupbaeva departs to visit a farmer after receiving a call.

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Press Release

09 August 2022

Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan presented copy of her credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

During the meeting, the sides discussed ways to further deepen the partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Kyrgyzstan, including on the basis of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, signed between the UN and the Government of Kyrgyzstan in June 2022. They also discussed ongoing efforts to deepen regional economic cooperation, advance inclusive economic and social development with vulnerable groups at the heart, and explored future cooperation in the spheres of environmental protection and climate action, among other. Ms. Grawe expressed her eagerness to explore the diversity of Kyrgyzstan and meet its people, while closely and regularly engaging with national and local authorities, women and human rights actors and representatives of other civil society groups, as well as private sector, academia and international partners. The UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan reiterated the strong commitment of the UN Country Team to support the advancement of Kyrgyzstan's national development priorities, for the benefit of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic. Ms. Grawe brings more than 20 years of experience in international cooperation, sustainable development and peace and security with the United Nations and other international and bilateral organizations. Prior to her appointment as UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Grawe served for three and a half years with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, first as Deputy Chief Monitor leading the Mission's work in the fields of human rights, gender, environment and dialogue facilitation, since April this year as Acting Head of Mission. Earlier, she served with UN Political and Peace Operations in various leadership and senior advisory roles in Afghanistan, Haiti and for the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY). In Afghanistan, she led the Regional Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in Herat and was the Head of the Mission's Analysis and Planning Unit. In the OSESGY, she served as Senior Peacebuilding Officer after having advised the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as Senior Special Assistant for nearly four years. Ms. Grawe also worked with the German Government at the Embassy in Pakistan as Counsellor for Economic Cooperation and Development and as Desk Officer for Afghanistan in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Bonn, in addition to positions with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) at its Headquarters in Germany and in Afghanistan. Ms. Antje Grawe holds a master’s degree in Political Science and History from the University in Trier, Germany. She also holds a certificate in political science from the Institut d’Études Politiques in Bordeaux, France, and studied at Universities in Krakow and Warsaw in Poland.

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Press Release

31 July 2022

UN holds SDGs Induction Workshop for New Staff of President's Administration

The workshop, organized by the UN with UNDP’s technical leadership, at the request of the Department of the Political and Economic Research of the President’s Administration, aims to enhance the government capacity in different dimensions of the SDGs to ensure consistency of the national policy among various government entities and contribute to institutional effectiveness. “I would call today's workshop an attempt to dive into the future. Today, as a team that prepares intellectual materials for decision-makers, we should work more efficiently and not miss out subtle factors in our analysis so that the decisions reflected in our programs and strategies are more accurate in responding to future challenges, as it is increasingly critical to make quick and effective decisions. I am inspired by the matrix and philosophy behind the SDGs, which reflects the process of interrelationship of various spheres such as people, peace, partnership, planet, and prosperity”, in his opening remarks Almaz Isanov, Head of the Department of Political and Economic Research of the President’s Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, stated. He emphasized the importance of intersectoral development, with a particular attention paid to human rights, gender equality and environmental, protection, and noted the Government’s full understanding with the UN on the Sustainable Development Goals, considering the impact of global processes on Kyrgyzstan, including COVID-19. Christine Jaulmes, UNRC a.i., UNICEF Representative, said, “It is symbolic to hold this strategic workshop this year, when we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s UN membership. The country needs not only knowledge and expertise on the SDGs, but also adequate financing; it is critical. It is time to stimulate private investment, both domestic and direct foreign investment, so that they can complement public funding and contribute to the development strategy. UNDP and UNICEF are currently working together with the Presidential Administration and the Government in designing the Integrated National Financial Framework (INFF).” UNRC a.i. expressed commitment to provide continued assistance in attaining the SDG targets in line with the ‘leave no one behind’ principle and thanked the Presidential Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers for strong commitment to the SDGs, integrating the SDGs in the national development agenda, and their aspirations to become a regional leader in the Agenda 2030. Vesna Dzuteska-Bisheva, Head of Sustainable Development Programme of the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, emphasized that this training was taking place at a crucial moment. “Globally, the development trajectory is at the crossroad, with multiple risks for people, societies, and economies. The COVID-19 pandemic has stalled the progress towards the SDGs, threatening to wipe out the development gains attained in the previous two decades in poverty eradication, prosperity and progress. Basically, the confluence of health, economic, environmental and political emergencies, the record high food, energy and commodity prices, rising interest rates burden and put pressure on the recovery, putting at risk the economy to plunge into a new recession.” She stated that with only eight years left until 2030, the success of achieving the SDGs would require a fundamental shift in the development model and policy priorities including an increasing investment in people, expansion of social protection coverage, provision of quality education, creation of decent jobs, transition to renewable energy and ensuring digitalization for all. Ms. Dzuteska-Bisheva stressed the importance of integrating the SDGs into the national financing framework and praised continued commitment of the Presidential Administration to support the ongoing development finance assessment and the preparation of the INFF. She expressed hope to hear about the outcome of the workshop discussion as part of one of the regional events to be organized with UNDP and EU support on SDGs platform for Central Asia. The induction workshop was delivered during the weekend to ensure uninterrupted deep dive of the government staff into SDG discussion. The sessions, covering complex interlinkages of the SDGs, broad-based coordination with stakeholders, integration with national programmes, means of SDGs implementation, INFF, as well as UN Reforms, UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and its alignment with national priorities, was delivered by international and local experts, including current and former SDG champions of the President Administration and the Government, UN agencies' staff members, policy, economic, environmental, social and gender experts. The expected results of the induction workshop is, with more knowledge about all dimensions of SDGs and their adaptation and implementation in the Kyrgyz Republic gained, an agreed action plan to continue capacity strengthening events on SDGs to ensure whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in SDG implementation in the Kyrgyz Republic. Background: UNDP’s Rapid Integrated Assessment (RIA) conducted in early 2020 highlighted that the alignment of the SDGs with national strategic development planning is at 82%. Although the alignment is high, the implementation challenges remain in all areas of SDGs adaptation and implementation, including integration (not declarative), of SDGs into development programs at all levels- national, sectoral and regional, making budgeting and monitoring aligned with SDGs, data issues and limited financial resources and weak capacity to work on SDG integration at full scale. Please see more photos here.

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Press Release

29 July 2022

Secretary-General appoints Antje Grawe of Germany as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan

Ms. Grawe brings more than 20 years of experience in international cooperation, sustainable development and peace and security with the United Nations and other international and bilateral organizations. Prior to her appointment as UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Grawe served for three and a half years with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, first as Deputy Chief Monitor leading the Mission's work in the fields of human rights, gender, environment and dialogue facilitation, since April this year as Acting Head of Mission. Earlier, she served with UN Political and Peace Operations in various leadership and senior advisory roles in Afghanistan, Haiti and for the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY). In Afghanistan, she led the Regional Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in Herat and was the Head of the Mission's Analysis and Planning Unit. In the OSESGY, she served as Senior Peacebuilding Officer after having advised the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as Senior Special Assistant for nearly four years. Ms. Grawe also worked with the German Government at the Embassy in Pakistan as Counsellor for Economic Cooperation and Development and as Desk Officer for Afghanistan in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Bonn, in addition to positions with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) at its Headquarters in Germany and in Afghanistan. Ms. Antje Grawe holds a master’s degree in Political Science and History from the University in Trier, Germany. She also holds a certificate in political science from the Institut d’Études Politiques in Bordeaux, France, and studied at Universities in Krakow and Warsaw in Poland.

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Press Release

22 July 2022

The Government of Japan and WFP join forces to build sustainable businesses in remote villages of the Kyrgyz Republic

The new medicinal herb-processing workshop will allow the villagers to benefit from cultivation and supply of large variety of herbs for production of high-quality products utilized in several industries such as cosmetics, food, medicine and pharmaceutics. “It is difficult to objectively evaluate ourselves and our surroundings. Sometimes there is value in what we are not aware of and what we take for granted. This is exactly what this workshop is about - the nature in this area has value, and by commercializing the gifts of nature, we can generate income and provide employment opportunities for people in this region”, said Shigeki Maeda, Ambassador of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic. The workshop has a production capacity of processing up to 3,000 kg of herbs per day and will employ up to 10 people from low-income families, depending on the season. Additionally, 1,000 vulnerable smallholders benefitted by participaiting in trainings on herb planting agro-technologies (chamomile, valerian, calendula, sage, mint) to supply raw materials to the workshop. “We thank the Government of Japan for its support to smallholder farmers in remote areas of the country,” said Kojiro Nakai, WFP Country Director and Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic. “The support is very timely in the midst of high food prices and the shocks of COVID-19. Through Public-Private Partnership, ties between the government, businesses and farmers were strengthened, creating opportunities to diversify and increase the income of vulnerable people.” With the support from the Government of Japan, WFP has launched 20 mini agricultural processing workshops around the country over the past years, providing modern equipment and technology to local businesses. Enterprises, such as processing essential oils, drying and preserving fruits and vegetables, producing dairy products or wool, stimulates agricultural production and improves the food security of vulnerable smallholders. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. For more information please contact: Almaz Tchoroev, WFP Kyrgyzstan Mobile.: +996550577597, e-mail: almaz.tchoroev@wfp.org

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Press Release

14 July 2022

A press tour on the locust project was held in Kyrgyzstan

Every year, Kyrgyzstan, like the entire Central Asian region, is threatened by locust infestations, which do not spare anything on their way, reaching huge numbers of individuals in their population. Having no borders, locusts pose a significant threat food security, economic development, and human health. Since 2015 FAO supports capacity strengthening of the Ministry of Agriculture by implementing projects with the financial support of the Government of Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as part of the FAO “Programme to improve national and regional locust management in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA)”. On July 6, a press tour to the fields was organized, which was attended by Mr. Maeda Shigeki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Dinara Rakhmanova, AFAOR in Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Azamat Mukashev, Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mr. Esentur Bektursun uulu, Representative from JICA. The purpose of this tour was to present the results of the locust project, as well as to transfer equipment, training manuals and personal protective equipment to improve pest control by the Ministry of Agriculture, as part of the current phase 2 of the locust project. “The project “phase 1” was signed during the official visit of former Prime Minister Abe to Central Asia in 2015, and was implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Now the “phase 2” expanded its target to all Central Asian countries and Afghanistan with the total amount of 7.5 Mil$, which demonstrates how much Japan puts a huge emphasis on food security of the region”, - said in his welcoming speech Mr. Maeda Shigeki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kyrgyz Republic. Thanks to the constant and stable assistance to the Government of Kyrgyzstan from donors and technical support from FAO, which implements its Programme since 2011, locust outbreaks in the country have not been noticed for a very long time. “The strengthening of human and operational capacities, with introduction of world-wide recognized best practices, are key to improve locust monitoring and control while limiting impact on human health and environment”, - pointed Ms. Dinara Rakhmanova, AFAOR in Kyrgyzstan. “The project introduces an improved mechanism for responding to locust outbreaks, using less toxic pesticides and preparations for biological pest control. Efforts are aimed at ensuring food security and improving the well-being of the rural population of Kyrgyzstan by preventing threats and reducing damage from pest invasions.” The results that were presented to the participants of the press tour show that the joint efforts of all project participants, new knowledge and advanced technology can timely prevent the most severe consequences and possible food crises that arise due to locusts around the world. “It should be particularly noted that the timely and prompt execution of control measures by the Department of Chemicalization, Protection and Quarantine of Plants, with the support of FAO and respectful donors, helped prevent damage to agricultural crops, pastures and ensure food security of Kyrgyzstan", - said Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Azamat Mukashev.

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