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Speech
03 July 2024
Secretary-General's remarks at joint press encounter with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Zheenbek Kulubaev
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Press Release
20 June 2024
The youth of Kyrgyzstan discussed the Sustainable Development Goals with UN experts and deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic
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Press Release
14 June 2024
Seeking Young Peacebuilders in South Caucasus and Central Asia
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals 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.
Press Release
05 March 2024
Mental health, digital health and human resources for health in focus during World Health Organization delegation’s visit to Kyrgyzstan
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024 Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN – A delegation from the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, led by Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, visited Kyrgyzstan on February 29th for site visits and meetings with key partners on joint priorities for human resources for health, mental health and digital health. The delegation started with a site visit to the Family Medicine Centre in Alamedin rayon, Chuy oblast. The Centre has been testing a new programme for nurses that emphasizes the importance of increased involvement of patients in the management of their diabetes care, as well as in promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyles. “Involving patients in their own treatment process has proven benefits. When patients are allowed to participate in monitoring and treatment, they become more responsible for their own condition, leading to better health outcomes”, said Dr Azzopardi-Muscat. “This is one of the key messages we continue to build on from last year’s high-level conference on trust and transformation for more resilient and sustainable health systems of the future.” The delegation also met with Dr Mederbek Ismailov, First Deputy Minister of Health and Dr. Aijamal Shambetova, Deputy Minister of Health, to discuss the implementation of WHO’s new Country Cooperation Strategy in Kyrgyzstan, signed in November 2023. The discussion focused on human resources for health -retention, recruitment, management and training, mental health, and also on health financing and primary health care strengthening as the most effective approach to deliver health care services to people. Digital health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe’s Flagship on Digitalization was the focus of the delegation’s meeting with Dr Bakyt Dzhangaziev, Deputy Minister on Digitalization, and Chingiz Beksultanov, Director of the Ministry of Health’s e-Health Centre. The meeting highlighted the role of technology in healthcare and explored opportunities for advancing digital health, as Kyrgyzstan is making important advancements in digital health with its ‘Sanarip MED’ digitalization programme.“The ‘Sanarip MED’ program is a promising innovation, supporting the introduction of digital solutions into health services. With a proper approach, digitalization should significantly reduce administrative and reporting burdens for family doctors and family nurses while enhancing the quality of care”, emphasized Dr Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative in Kyrgyzstan.The visit concluded with a meeting between the WHO delegation and Ms Antje Grawe, UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic. The discussion focused on collaborative efforts between WHO and the UN in addressing joint public health challenges, including in the area of digital health, and promoting sustainable development.“WHO works alongside Kyrgyzstan as it continues to deliver on its commitments for health and well-being in line with the Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia. The Roadmap serves as a powerful health instrument, allowing countries to cooperatively respond to the intersecting challenges affecting them, and seizing opportunities for transformative change for their health systems”, said Dr. Azzopardi-Muscat.This visit serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts between Kyrgyzstan, WHO and the UN system in promoting accessible, equitable, and high-quality healthcare for all.
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Press Release
24 January 2023
UN calls for cross-sectoral approach to transform education system in Kyrgyzstan
According to UNICEF’s global report ‘Are children really learning?’, in Kyrgyzstan, more than half of the children aged 10 and attending Grade 3 do not have foundational reading and numeracy skills. It means that in a class of 40 children, only 12 students would be able to read a textbook designed for their age. This learning crisis disproportionally affects the most vulnerable children and is a major driver of inter-generational poverty and inequality. Also, as 38 per cent of the country’s population are currently children under the age of 18, it is estimated that within the next decade, every year, over 350,000 young people will be entering the labour market. Therefore, it is critical to invest in enhancing their employability and specific job skills that prepare them adequately for the local market now.
The UN in the Kyrgyz Republic reiterates its continued support to the realization of Kyrgyzstan’s national commitments, which the Kyrgyz Government articulated during the Transforming Education Summit (TES), convened by the UN Secretary-General in New York in September 2022. These commitments will help accelerate reforms to transform Kyrgyzstan’s education system to make it fitter for the future: more relevant, more inclusive and more adaptive to future challenges. Education plays a critical role in human capital development and can serve to accelerate progress towards national development priorities and all the Sustainable Development Goals. It requires a cross-sectoral approach, and the UN Country Team in the Kyrgyz Republic is committed to supporting such approach, together, in the spirit of this year‘s theme of the International Day of Education: “to invest in people, prioritize education”.
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Press Release
25 January 2023
Switzerland allocates over USD 9 million to support most vulnerable rural communities in climate change and disaster risks resilience
The Government of Switzerland will allocate over USD 9 million for the WFP CSP pillar aimed at building the resilience of the most vulnerable rural communities against climate change and disaster risks. This component is being implemented by WFP in partnership with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The activities will cover Osh, Batken, Jalalabad and Naryn provinces and support around 250,000 most vulnerable households, as well as targeted local authorities and institutions on the national level to build a systemic approach in managing hazards, such as droughts, mudslides, floods, etc. Reliable and timely climate information, disaster-resilient planning and selected infrastructure support will be provided to the beneficiaries.
Disaster risk management activities will also be strengthened to prepare for climate related hazards and reduce their impact on food and nutrition security. The vulnerable communities will be provided with food security and livestock insurance tools and will be trained on build-back-better mechanisms.
The contribution implementation is foreseen for the next five years.
For more information about the project and WFP, please contact: Almaz Tchoroev, Communications Officer,
tel: +996 550 577 597, email: almaz.tchoroev@wfp.org
For more information on Swiss Development Cooperation, please contact: Tursunai Chodurova, Communications Officer, Swiss Embassy/Bishkek, tel: +996 770 710054, email: tursunai.chodurova@eda.admin.ch
***
The Government of Switzerland provides assistance for the development of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since 1994, Switzerland has granted around CHF 500 million to Kyrgyzstan in the form of technical, financial and humanitarian support. For more information, please visit https://www.eda.admin.ch/bishkek.
Follow us on www.facebook.com/SwissEmbassyKyrgyzstan
www.instagram.com/swissembkyrgyz
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.
Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/WorldFoodProgrammeKyrgyzstan/, https://www.instagram.com/wfp_kyrgyzstan
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Story
11 June 2024
How Accessible Healthcare Promotes Transforming Lives in Rural Kyrgyzstan
which was supported by the UK Government and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Kyrgyz Republic, had the dual objective of addressing urgent gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) needs. Reaching the Unreachable: Deploying Mobile Clinics UNFPA, with support from UK/CSSF, launched an initiative to provide healthcare services to women and girls affected by cross-border conflict in Batken. Over several months, UNFPA deployed mobile clinics, medical teams and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) providers to these areas, reaching over 4,500 women who had been cut off from basic health services. These mobile clinics, equipped with gynecologists, mammologists and other specialists including psychologists, became a lifeline for many.Lasting Impact and Government Commitment The success of the mobile clinics led to a sustained demand for their services. Recognising their value, the Batken government mobilized the Ministry of Health and Members of Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic to regularize the use of mobile clinics in border areas and among vulnerable groups. This initiative helped alleviate financial and social tensions and demonstrated the government's commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind. Addressing the Mental Health Crisis In December 2023, the Batken Oblast government requested UNFPA's assistance in responding to a wave of suicides among women in the cross-border village of Andarak, where 10 women aged between 20-43 attempted to commit suicide within one year, half of them could not be saved (https://rus.azattyk.org/a/32743308.html). One of the main reasons for the suicides was mentioned as a domestic violence. Over the course of three days (from 29 February to 2 March), a team of doctors from the mobile clinic and psychologists were able to provide their services to 184 women and girls. A total of 142 women of reproductive age from 18 to 49 years old were examined. Of these, 40 were over 50 years old and overall:63 women had consulted a general practitioner, 61 women had consulted an obstetrician-gynecologist, 60 women had consulted a mammologist and oncologist,81 women had undergone an ultrasound examination, and 38 women received counseling from psychologists. In addition to the consultations, psychologists held a brief session for 60 high school students in the village of Andarak on the topic of "Prevention of family violence and early marriage". Bringing Up Community Voices The impact of this initiative was profound and far-reaching, touching the lives of many women in Batken and Leilek districts. Villagers expressed their gratitude for the accessible and compassionate care provided by the mobile clinics. A resident of Ak-Turpak said: "Today the mobile clinic arrived in our village. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the doctors, especially the gynecologist, who took the time to advise each woman with kindness and expertise. With skilled doctors like them, we can overcome and prevent many diseases.”Similarly, Asel Mamytova from Boz-Adyr village emphasized the convenience and quality of care: "Thank you for coming to Boz-Adyr! We no longer have to make long journeys to the capital for check-ups. It would be a real blessing if you could visit us regularly.”As well as providing essential health services, this initiative fostered a sense of community care and support. One resident said, "Before, our villagers used to travel to the capital for medical consultations. Women have not had access to healthcare services for years, because it's quite far to reach and the cost of appointments is a burden for us.” A Vision for the Future of the Rural Women and Girls We are optimistic that the demand and following overall community support to and success of this initiative will contribute to a healthier and more empowered future for every rural woman and girl in the rural areas of Kyrgyzstan. It demonstrates the potential of collaborative efforts to address urgent gender-based violence and SRH needs, and foster a sense of community and resilience. Joint efforts of the UNFPA and KFPA, supported by the UK Government have made a significant impact, demonstrating that with dedicated and compassionate support, no one is left behind. Prepared by Gulaiym ShigaibaevaPhotos provided by KFPA
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Story
03 June 2024
Timely and qualified obstetric care is the key to the health of the mother and newborn baby
loss of consciousness. Why is it important to seek medical attention immediately if these signs occur in pregnant women? ‘When a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and lower limb oedema, it is midwives who can play a key role in assistance. They can measure blood pressure and closely monitor the patient's condition, assessing for other symptoms such as headaches or visual changes that may indicate pre-eclampsia,” notes Alexei Klimashkin, an international trainer who has trained midwives from five secondary and tertiary obstetric organizations as part of a UN South-South Cooperation project implemented by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This project aims to reduce preventable maternal morbidity by accessing quality health services through the use of obstetric surveillance response and telemedicine in maternity hospitals. Pre-eclampsia occurs in 5% to 8% of pregnant women and is responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths worldwide each year, making it one of the leading causes of pregnancy-related mortality. As the expert shares, if any alarming symptoms are detected, midwives consult with a doctor to develop a further treatment plan: “Midwives can help women to lower blood pressure, advise on how to manage oedema and headaches, and provide additional advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. All these measures are aimed at reducing risks among mothers and babies and ensuring a safe pregnancy and delivery”. There are only 2,196 midwives in Kyrgyzstan, 90 percent of whom work in maternity hospitals providing reproductive and maternal health services. It is midwives who are the first to meet pregnant women at the maternity hospital. It is very important to correctly assess and diagnose severe pre-eclampsia and, as part of a multidisciplinary team, to initiate timely care. And as part of the project to provide quality reproductive and maternal health services, midwives improved their knowledge and skills at a three-day training for five pilot health care organizations, namely Osh Interregional Integrated Clinical Hospital, Jalal-Abad Regional Clinical Hospital, Issyk-Kul and Chui Regional Integrated Hospitals and the Perinatal Centre of the National Centre for Maternal and Child Health in Bishkek, with the participation of an international expert. One of the training participants, Elnura Kubanychbekova, a midwife at the Maternity Hospital of Jalal-Abad Regional Clinical Hospital, noted that following the competencies is primarily about improving the quality of midwives' work, improving services for patients, and protecting the rights of medical staff. Regular participation in educational seminars, trainings and conferences will help keeping up to date with the latest advances and techniques in midwifery: “Midwives in Kyrgyzstan are striving for professional growth and development. And it is important to support the aspiration to study modern scientific research, and the introduction of evidence-based medicine into practice will improve the quality of care provided. Then the labor of midwives will be rewarded by the gratitude of patients and the respect of colleagues,” Alexei Klimashkin shares his opinion. Through the training, midwives were able to improve their knowledge and skills both in theory on national midwifery competencies in midwifery, neonatology, public health and ethics, which form the basis of high quality, culturally relevant and appropriate care for women and newborns, and through simulation sessions on prevention of hemorrhage after delivery, management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. It is important to note that the second and third days of training were conducted by the midwives themselves, trained by an international expert. This means that each health care organization now has a trained trainer (five in total) to conduct regular on-the-job training on prevention of postpartum hemorrhage, management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia before referral to hospital. At the end of the training, the international expert shared his positive impressions of working with midwives in Kyrgyzstan: ‘They are true professionals who demonstrate a deep commitment to their work every day, care for patients and willingness to work with limited resources. Their strengths include a high level of empathy, the ability to make quick decisions in emergency situations, and a commitment to creating a comfortable and supportive environment for women during pregnancy and labor’. Written by: Gulaiym Shigaibaeva <shigaibaeva@unfpa.org>
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Story
07 May 2024
Meerim Suranbay kyzy: “Every woman in labor is like my own sister and I understand that the only thing she wants is to safely cuddle her newborn”
all women in labor will be satisfied if they are treated with warmth, and then a sense of trust will emerge. As well as kind words, I also bring them tea and water and make sure that every woman in our labor ward feels safe like home”. As a child, Meerim Suranbay kyzy was very much interested in learning English, but after graduating from the ninth grade she was enrolled into the medical college on the advice of her sister, a computer programmer, who kept washing and ironing Meerim's medical gowns whole first year of her study. After the second year of her studies, Meerim got an internship at the Osh Regional Clinical Hospital, where her love for medicine grew: ‘Here I realized that I had made the right choice, and from that day on all my attention was focused on medicine. To this day I am grateful to my sister's advice, because in this profession I found true friends and a professional team of like-minded people. No matter what task we face, we will definitely fulfill it. And thanks to my knowledge of English, I had no difficulties with learning program software and using a computer in my work’. As in all maternity hospitals, Meerim used to fill out the labor history on paper and often stayed at work even after the end of her shift to fill it out by hand. But with the introduction of the electronic card of the patient, which includes the patient's admission, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, Meerim, a midwife, and all her colleagues in Kyrgyzstan will be able to improve digital medical record keeping for quality based maternal and newborn health management. “It was difficult for us at first when we just started digitizing midwifery records and notes, but now we can fill everything in from a computer, tablet or even from our mobile phones. There used to be such a clear divide between professions, but now even doctors are becoming IT specialists of sorts! I understand and welcome this demand of the current times, as it helps our work and increases digital literacy among my colleagues”. As Meerim shared, by entering only the PIN of the woman in labor in the reception department of the maternity unit, her electronic card will display all her previous visits to various doctors, their conclusions and treatment. In other words, the whole picture of a woman's health can be seen at a glance, which can simplify the work of the reception department. “The time freed up from clerical paper work we can use to spend more time with women in the labor ward. What do women need during labor? They need our support. Pregnant women are afraid and don't want to stay alone, but when I am with them, they feel calmer and more at ease, and the labor is easier in such conditions. Every woman in labor I perceive as my own sister, I understand that the only thing she wants is to safely cuddle her newborn, whom she has been carrying for nine months. At such moments, I can truly feel her complete trust in me,’ Meerim shares her sincere thoughts. Emerging digitalisation will make working in maternity hospitals much easier, but the greatest value for Meerim is the mutual respect and support of her colleagues: “There has never been any shame in asking for help - I help my younger colleagues and the elder midwives share their valuable experience with me. I realize that over time robots will replace the functions of many professionals, but I don't think ten robots working together can compare to the love and care of one midwife”. Meerim and her colleagues often received job offers from private clinics, but they did not accept and stayed working at the Osh Regional Clinical Hospital: ‘We all know that private organizations would have provided us with more money, stable and fixed working hours. But my work has shaped me, it is where I became the Meerim I am today. I am always supported by the faith of my colleagues, trust of my patients, and the love for my work. It can be called Motherland love, can't it? And whenever I walk around the city with my husband, very often women stop me and greet me with the warm words ‘You remember me, you helped me to deliver my child, don't you?’.Meerim's husband is happy to hear such words, because he always supports her, as he knows his wife’s commitment and responsibility: “He fully understands that at home we are married with three children, but at my work in the maternity hospital I become a second mum to many new citizens of Kyrgyzstan every day”. *** Meerim Suranbay kyzy together with other obstetricians, midwives, neonatologists and neonatal nurses actively participated in the training to improve their knowledge and skills on technical and clinical aspects of completing and using the electronic card of the patient , which included obstetric and neonatal parts. Electronic cards of the patient are promoted in Kyrgyzstan as means to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare systems through midwives’ engagement. During the months of April and May 2024, the processes of training and implementation of the electronic card of the patient are taking place in five obstetric institutions at secondary and the tertiary level, namely Osh Interregional United Clinical Hospital, Jalal-Abad United Clinical Hospital, Issyk-Kul and Chui Regional United Hospitals and the Perinatal Centre of the National Centre for Maternal and Child Health in Bishkek. Training and implementation of electronic card of the patient are conducted within the framework of the UN South-South Cooperation project aimed at reducing preventable maternal morbidity through access to quality health services through the use of obstetric surveillance response system and teleconsultation in maternity hospitals. The project is supported and implemented by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic and the UN Population Fund. Written by: Gulaiym Shigaibaeva <shigaibaeva@unfpa.org>
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Story
23 April 2024
Growth of non-custodial sanctions in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2020
The prison population amounted to 7728 in 2023, a 20% decrease compared to 2020 (9658 prisoners). Despite the increased number of convictions by 22% from 2020 (5 074) to 2023 (6 202), the number of non-custodial sentences – alternatives to imprisonment – has risen by 55 %. This was reported at a roundtable discussion organized by the Ministry of Justice and UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic on 17 April 2024.In the framework of the EU-co-funded project ‘JUST4ALL’ focusing on the establishment of a probation system and criminal justice information management systems, UNODC conducted an analytical review on the judicial practice on custodial and non-custodial sentences between 2020 and 2023. This research aimed at analysing court decisions on alternatives to incarceration and collecting data to inform evidence-based technical assistance within the mentioned project.An interagency Working Group, formed by the Ministry of Justice’s order #172, was tasked to conduct an analytical review by representatives from the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor's Office, Prison Service and Probation Department.Mr. Zarylbek uulu Almazbek, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic emphasized that this analysis would help to identify positive aspects and shortcomings in the current system. "This work is necessary and relevant, and we are convinced that it will contribute, among others, to the harmonization of regulatory legal acts, as well as improved cooperation and interaction with government agencies."“The EU-funded “JUST4ALL” project plays a key role in promoting the humanization of the criminal justice system in Kyrgyzstan through strengthening the probation system. The collection and analysis of data on criminal justice is key to inform evidence-based sustainable policies and decision making”, said Mr. Cosimo Lamberti-Fossati, Project Manager from the Delegation of the EU in the Kyrgyz Republic. Highlighting the steady decline of the prison population, a positive trend, the multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion allowed participants – judiciary, government entities, technical experts, civil society organisations, and international partners – to express their views and exchange on several ongoing challenges.The participants highlighted the positive role of the Probation service, and the need for tailored approaches when it comes to the probation clients’ social reintegration and rehabilitation. Further challenges include ensuring probation staff are well equipped to address the needs of probation clients by creating appropriate working conditions and tackling the high turnover rate of probation officers, to ensure the trainings’ sustainability, including those conducted within the project.Participants also agreed on the need to strengthen multistakeholder synergies when implementing alternatives to detention. UNODC International Project Coordinator, Mr. George Abadjian, underlined that ‘the EU-funded JUST4ALL creates a platform to exchange on relevant topics in the criminal justice system, also going beyond the project main outcomes”. This is a significant result of the project – bringing stakeholders around a table and allowing them to exchange in an open and trustworthy environment.Participants also pointed out to the JUST4ALL interventions supporting the Probation system, including the support to the draft State Programme on Development of Penitentiary and Probation System for 2024-2028 and the development of the risk and needs assessment tool that will be the cornerstone for tailored programs for probation clients.JUST4ALL builds on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules), encouraging Member States to develop non-custodial measures within their legal systems to provide alternatives, thus reducing the use of imprisonment, as well as to rationalize criminal justice policies, considering human rights, the requirements of social justice and the rehabilitation needs of the offender.for more information contact Vasilina Brazhko Communications Analyst at EU/UNODC Just4All project at +996775987817 WhatsApp or cellphone
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Story
29 March 2024
Refugee, DAFI scholar and future peacebuilder
Alina* was only four years old when she came to the Kyrgyz Republic with her mum, dad and baby brother, fleeing widespread violence, insecurity and human rights abuses in Afghanistan.Being so young, she has few memories from that time.“I don’t remember anything from my hometown,” says Alina. “But I remember when we first came here, my mother was always crying.”Recognised as refugees by the Kyrgyz Republic, Alina’s family were issued with temporary permits, renewable annually, allowing them to stay in the country and access some rights and services, including education. So when she was 7 years old, Alina started first grade.As a young refugee, however, Alina didn’t know Kyrgyz or Russian languages. She was not able to read or write these languages, and struggled to keep up with the other children in her class.That summer, despite her young age, she was determined to make things better.“During summer, my dad really helped me to improve my reading and writing,” says Alina. “A neighbour where my dad was working was also helping me. The grandmother of a friend was helping me. I am grateful for the good people surrounding me through that difficult period.”By grade 4, Alina was among the top of her class.“I am grateful for the good people surrounding me through that difficult period.”Aiming higherIn the Kyrgyz Republic, while refugee children can go to public primary and high schools, tertiary education is different. Unable to compete on par with citizens for government grants, the only possibility for refugees to go to university is if they pay for it themselves. Like many refugee families, this was impossible for Alina’s.“A friend offered for me to go with her to do an entrance exam for university,” says Alina. “I passed the exam – and she did not, that was awful! – and got interested in finding a way I could study there, because obviously the fees were really high.”As a member of the Refugee Youth Group, a sort of social, support and development network coordinated by UNHCR in the Kyrgyz Republic, Alina had received information about DAFI, the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative scholarship programme. Recalling these sessions, Alina reached out.“My parents took credit to pay for the first years’ fees, and I got a DAFI scholarship in sophomore (second) year,” she says with pride.Looking inwardsEach year, students from around the world come to the Kyrgyz Republic to study. Engaging with so many new people, from so many different countries, forced Alina to look inwards.“I was really fascinated by the students,” says Alina. “This diverse community opened my eyes, but I had an identity crisis. Was I local or was I Afghan? I was somewhere in between. I had friends among local students and friends among Afghan students. I had this fear that if I introduced myself as Afghan, they would not talk to me.”Inspired by her university classes, Alina reflected on what this all meant.“We had these philosophy classes that aimed at developing our critical thinking. I questioned many things, my style of life, my group of friends, my relationship with my family.”By her third year at university, Alina felt more settled. “I understood that I was born in Afghanistan, and that I should never forget my culture, my people, or our customs, but at the same time I’m living in a different country, my second homeland, and I have family and friends here,” she says. “I was really happy that I was born in Afghanistan and raised in Kyrgyzstan, and in this way, I have a multidimensional view on life.”With a clearer mind and lighter heart, Alina committed to completing her studies, as well as serving the community, participating in volunteering initiatives to clean Bishkek city, plant trees, and collect clothes for orphanages.Thanks to the DAFI scholarship programme, in 2018 Alina graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with honours, and started applying for jobs. She now works with a Swiss foundation that focuses on reducing violence and building peace.Bringing people together“I was interested in this position because they work in mediation of conflicts in society, between governments and people. They also work on social cohesion to unite people,” says Alina. “At the same time, in Afghanistan, there is this constant conflict. I really want to get this experience of how organizations work on these issues and bring people together.”Currently, the Kyrgyz Republic does not issue machine-readable travel documents for refugees and stateless people, which means they cannot go abroad. Following recommendations submitted by UNHCR, the amended Law on Refugees, effective 2 May 2023, includes the introduction of procedures to issue travel documents to refugees.For curious and determined youth like Alina, this is extremely exciting news. “My biggest dream is to travel the world. I really want to go out and see how other people live, how they solve their problems, what issues they face.”“And one day, if I get the opportunity, I can bring some contribution to my own country, to be of help to my own people.” * Name changed for protection of the individual.
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Press Release
21 June 2024
The youth of Kyrgyzstan discussed the Sustainable Development Goals with UN experts and deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic
During the month of June, the students had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Antje Grawe, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, and today, they met with Dr. Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan, and WFP staff in Kyrgyzstan. The dialogue also included Chingiz Aidarbekov parliamentarian from the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic. During the meeting, discussions focused on the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and practical strategies for their implementation, aiming to enhance the youth's engagement with these critical issues. Chingiz Aidarbekov highlighted: "Such dialogues not only help youth better understand global challenges but also foster the development of critical thinking and active participation in processes that shape Kyrgyzstan's future." Dr. Liviu Vedrasco expressed confidence, stating: "The youth are not just part of the equation—they are the equation." The meeting concluded in a friendly and inspiring atmosphere.***Additional information: This meeting is part of the Parliament’s SDG Working Group initiative aimed at raising awareness among youth of Kyrgyzstan about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A key feature of this initiative is to give a voice to youth in decision-making at all levels, enabling them to contribute to the formation of the country’s sustainable development policy.
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Press Release
14 June 2024
Seeking Young Peacebuilders in South Caucasus and Central Asia
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in New York is seeking young peacebuilders in South Caucasus and Central AsiaUNAOC Young Peacebuilders is a peace education initiative designed to support young people in gaining skills that can enhance their positive role in peace and security issues and prevent violent conflict. Interested candidates can submit their applications until 31 July 2024. More details on the programme and eligibility criteria are available here. To apply, click here.
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Press Release
10 June 2024
First-Ever Training on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever Enhances Specialist Skills in Kyrgyzstan
To address this need, a training on CCHF was conducted at the Republican Centre for Quarantine and Highly Dangerous Infections under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic. This training was organized within the framework of the ‘One Health’ concept. The training aimed to raise awareness and enhance the skills of specialists in the fields of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of CCHF. Participants included doctors, veterinarians, epidemiologists, entomologists, virologists, and other specialists. They received essential knowledge on epidemiology, diagnostic methods, tick collection techniques in the “Ala-Archa” national park, treatment, and prevention of CCHF. Dr. Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the significance of this unique training. "This is the first time we've organized such an event, marking a vital step in boosting the skills of national specialists to combat CCHF effectively. Supported by the Pandemic Fund and carried out through WHO and its partners, this initiative demonstrates our commitment to aiding Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Health in protecting public health," he remarked.
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Press Release
06 June 2024
Strengthening Health in the Mountains of Kyrgyzstan Through Collaboration and Dialogue
Representatives from the Special Envoy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on Mountain Issues, UN Resident Coordinator, Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President in oblasts, development partners, foreign embassies, various ministries and agencies attended the event.In 2022, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov initiated the adoption of the "Sustainable Mountain Development" resolution by the United Nations General Assembly. This resolution calls for "Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions" from 2023 to 2027, highlighting the issues faced by mountainous communities due to climate change, food insecurity, emergency, and poverty, as well as health and well-being. In Kyrgyzstan, where 90% of the country is above 3,000 meters, health issues such as high-altitude pulmonary hypertension and abdominal obesity are common. However, the challenges go beyond these conditions. Disparities in health system performance, access to clean water and sanitation, and other determinants of health contribute to health inequities in rural and remote mountain areas. To tackle these issues, the "Health in the Mountains Agenda" has become an area of collaboration between the Kyrgyz Government, WHO, and other international organizations involved in advancing the Mountains Agenda. As a first step in this effort in the health sector, the Ministry of Health and WHO brought together key stakeholders for a two-day starting dialogue. The event expanded the concept of health within the Mountains Agenda, emphasizing the importance of a people-centered, comprehensive, and intersectoral approach to improving health and well-being of those living in mountainous areas, leaving no one behind. It also highlighted the need for cross-sector collaboration to tackle inequities affecting the health of mountainous communities, with a focus on primary health care, social participation, community engagement, and the role of local government development initiatives. Participants shared their experiences and ideas, aiming to develop a common agenda and concrete steps for future collaboration at national, regional and local levels.
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Press Release
06 June 2024
UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression welcomed withdrawal and review of the controversial draft Law on Mass Media in Kyrgyzstan
The previous draft Law was evaluated by the UN Special Rapporteur, OSCE institutions, and the Venice Commission. The past reviews expressed concerns regarding vague and wide restrictions on permissible media content, mandatory registration of online media, stringent media accreditation rules and i other forms of excessive governmental control that may have had a chilling effect on media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and access to information more broadly. The UN Special Rapporteur expressed hopes that the ongoing revision will ensure compliance of the updated draft Law with international human rights standards. Media freedom experts and advocacy organizations are also hoping that open consultations will include a request by the Government to the OSCE institutions and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe for a follow-up review of the updated draft Law, so that the final Law adopted by Parliament is closely aligned with international human rights standards and norms. [MB1] Link to the story on the OHCHR webpage: Kyrgyzstan withdraws contentious mass media bill following review by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, OSCE institutions and the Venice Commission | United Nations in Kyrgyz RepublicLink to the original text of the Other Letter of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression from 20 June 2023: OL KGZ (3.2023) (ohchr.org)
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