Developing the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Kyrgyzstan 2023-27: A Consultation with Civil Society

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is the main strategic document of the UN System in the Kyrgyz Republic, which will replace the current program (UNDAF) for 2018-2022 signed by the UN and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in 2017.

In her welcoming speech, Nuria Choibaeva, Deputy Head of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, noted that this discussion with civil society is of great importance, as it is an important stage in the process of developing the UN’s cooperation framework in the Kyrgyz Republic, which will enter into force in early 2023. “This framework is the most important instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities at the country level and in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The development of this program is timely, as it coincided with the development of the National Development Program until 2026, where the government identified the main development priorities for Kyrgyzstan.” Nuria Choibaeva also noted that the framework program has undergone changes in approaches to the UNSDCF development process, including the flexibility of the program with the possibility of annual review and making appropriate changes.

During the consultation, representatives of civil society provided their recommendations within the four priority strategic directions of the five-year program, identified by the joint working group of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the UN on February 18, 2022.

Four priority areas (draft) for strategic results:

1. Supporting national efforts to meet the needs of the people through ensuring equal access to quality social services, including education, health, social protection and decent work, through effective policies and appropriate financing mechanisms with the participation of all parties;
2. Supporting national efforts to promote the prosperity and resilience of all citizens through inclusive green socio-economic development.
3. Supporting national efforts to promote inclusive approaches to climate change, disaster risk management and environmental protection in order to conserve natural resources and harness the benefits of ecosystems for sustainable human development.
4. Supporting national efforts to promote fair, accountable and inclusive institutions and civil society that enable peace, cohesion and human rights for all.

The consultation participants discussed priority areas, proposals and formats for cooperation between the UN system and civil society in the future.

The consultation was attended by 75 people, including representatives of 11 UN agencies and about 50 public organizations working in the fields of education, peacebuilding, environment and climate change, agricultural development, women's rights, migrants and refugees, people with disabilities, youth development, volunteerism, culture, healthcare, interethnic relations and activism.

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