Opening remarks of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Antje Grawe at the National SDG Coordination Commission.

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Mr. Japarov,

Co-chair of the SDG Coordinating Commission, Minister of Economy, Mr Amangeldiev,

Distinguished Members of the Cabinet of Ministers,

Dear UN colleagues,

On behalf of the United Nations system in the Kyrgyz Republic, I would like to thank the Chair for having extended an invitation to me and my colleagues for this first-ever meeting of the Government’s SDG Coordinating Commission.

It is a great privilege to be here with you together with some of my colleagues from the UN Country Team at the final stage of approval of national commitments that the His Excellency, President Japarov intends to make at the upcoming SDG Summit [which will take place in 1,5 weeks, from 18 – 19 September in New York upon invitation by the UN Secretary-General.]

Today's meeting follows a series of discussions within an Inter-Ministerial Task Force, led by the Presidential Administration and composed of relevant line Ministries, set up to identify areas for focused attention to advance the achievement of the SDGs in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, consultations with Members of Parliament, civil society, private sector and development partners including the UN system and IFIs were held, culminating in national consultations on 4th of September.

It is very encouraging that from the very beginning, the development of national commitments in preparation for the SDG Summit was carried out under the determined leadership of the Government in a cross-sectorial and consultative manner. Only through a whole-of-government and, importantly, a whole-of-society approach can the SDGs be achieved globally and in Kyrgyzstan.

This is even more important as for the first time in decades, development progress globally is reversing under the combined impacts of climate disasters, armed conflict, economic downturn and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Halfway to the 2030 deadline, the promise of a more just, equal, prosperous and green world without poverty and hunger, where no one is left behind, is in peril, which is the very reason why the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is convening the SDG Summit. To put it in his words: The SDGs need to be rescued, and the world needs to unite and develop a “rescue plan for the people and the planet”. He thus has invited all Heads of States to review the progress made in all 193 Member States of the United Nations, including Kyrgyzstan, identify, ideally in consultation with key stakeholders in the society, priority areas designed to course-correct and bring the SDGs back on track, as well to register renewed commitments to achieve those goals.

The multiple global crises of the last three years have also impacted Kyrgyzstan and a significant portion of the population. While Kyrgyzstan made progress on numerous SDGs including in reducing poverty, maternal mortality, access to education, drinking water, economic growth and job creation, the latest ESCAP 2023 SDG progress report highlights that several SDGs demand increased attention to sustain this progress. These include in particular addressing the impact of climate change and pollution; enhancing the quality of education and healthcare; reducing economic inequalities, and reinforcing food security. The country has witnessed a rise in poverty levels, with approximately one-third of its population now falling below the poverty line, the impact of climate change in particular on glaciers and water resources is galloping in its effects on millions of people, livelihoods and the economy. Human rights indicators point towards a downwards trend, and gender equality and women empowerment require far more attention.

At the same time, the Kyrgyz Republic continued to exhibit a commendable dedication to achieving the SDGs:

The SDGs have been localized and integrated into Kyrgyzstan’s national development policies and strategies. They are now part and parcel of Kyrgyzstan’s own long-term development strategies, as reflected in the National Development Strategy 2040 and the National Development Programme 2026, among other.

In 2020, the Kyrgyz Republic presented its inaugural Voluntary National Review, and we are happy to see that today’s agenda also includes the consideration of the next VNR which the UN system stands ready to support. The same applies to the forthcoming Voluntary Local Review of Bishkek in 2024.

Kyrgyzstan recently further strengthened its institutional frameworks to support the implementation of the SDGs with the establishment of this SDG Commission, and the formation of a dedicated Working Group in Parliament to monitor the implementation of the SDGs. Both bodies together can become important drivers for SDG achievement in Kyrgyzstan, in close involvement with other relevant national stakeholders such as the private sector, civil society and academia, and the donor community who can all bring expertise to further advance sustainable development.

The national commitments proposed today for adoption following broad agreement at the national consultations, with their specific focus on poverty reduction and the combatting of inequalities, further strengthening inclusive and quality education; and the promotion of an inclusive and green economy and climate action are indeed extremely relevant for achieving and accelerating the SDGs in Kyrgyzstan. This was also indicated by the so-called SDG Push Report which formed one basis for the analysis of entry points for SDG acceleration.

They also reflect the specific development priorities and needs of the country and its people whilst providing linkages with other global initiatives and commitments of the Kyrgyz Republic including those made during the Transforming Education Summit, at COP 26 and or as reflected in Kyrgyzstan’s ambitious global initiative, the Mountain Agenda and its 5-Year Action Plan, to mention just a few. It is further encouraging to see the commitment to gender equality included as well as to inclusiveness as a cross-cutting theme. 

In closing, I would like to commend the Government for planning beyond the SDG Summit and considering a clear follow-up to integrate the commitments into the country's updated development plans and for the organization of a Development Forum in early November also with a view to strengthening the foundations for budgeting and financing of the SDGs.  Moving forward towards the implementation of the renewed commitments and beyond, you can count on the UN system in Kyrgyzstan and its 25 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes to lend our manifold, concrete support within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023 – 2027 in the interest of the Kyrgyz people .

Thank you for your attention!

Chon Rahmat.