Opening Remarks by UNRC Antje Grawe at SDG Policy Dialogue on reproductive and maternal health

Excellency, Member of Parliament, Mr Chingiz Aidarbekov, Chairman of the Working Group on Monitoring the Implementation of Legislation on the Implementation of the SDGs in the Kyrgyz Republic, 

Dear Mr. Bakyt Sadykov, 

Distinguished Members of the Parliament and representatives of the Ministry of Health, 

Dear UN Colleagues, distinguished experts,

It is a privilege to address this important policy dialogue, convened as part of the extended meeting of the Working Group on Monitoring the Execution of Legislation on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kyrgyz Republic.

This dialogue is very timely. It not only focuses on demographic trends and reproductive health and rights, foundational questions for poverty alleviation and economic growth, but it will also discuss the development of the Voluntary National Review of the progress towards SDGs that Kyrgyzstan will present at the UN High Level Political Forum in 2025. It was President Japarov who had announced at the SDG Summit convened by the UN Secretary-General exactly a year ago in New York that Kyrgyzstan would conduct a Second Voluntary National Review. These reviews are an important, state-led and inclusive process, in which the country presents its successes, challenges and lessons learned in the achievement of the SDGs. It is a unique opportunity to review progress and identify course-corrections, where and as needed. And the Parliament plays a critical role in it.  

In your function as representatives of the people, you contribute to the effective delivery of SDGs in Kyrgyzstan by:

• Reviewing and enacting laws that underpin SDG achievement and support policies aimed to eradicate poverty and inequalities in particular; 
• Helping ensure the incorporation of the SDGs in all relevant Government policies, plans and practices;
• Strengthening the systems in place to monitor progress towards the achievement of the SDGs, to identify gaps and obstacles in the implementation of the SDGs and drive policy adjustments and targeted interventions to accelerate progress;
• Shaping budgetary decisions and ensuring adequate funding for relevant sectors including underfunded sectors or those that require priority focus to meet the SDGs and their overarching objective namely to enable an inclusive, just and equitable sustainable growth. 

I welcome the Kyrgyz Government’s decision to present its VNR in 2025. Kyrgyzstan has made huge strides towards the implementation of the SDGs. At the SDG Summit, President Japarov made ambitious commitments to further advance the achievement of the SDGs in Kyrgyzstan, which form integral part of the country’s Kyrgyzstan’s national development strategies and plans. These achievements can be reflected in the national report. 

As much as SDG progress requires a whole of society approach, where all voices are being heard, the last years have shown that the most effective VNRs involve an inclusive, participatory, and evidence-based review process, that allows for the perspectives and ideas of all relevant stakeholders including the State, civil society, vulnerable groups and the business community are being heard. And here, your contribution to the development of Kyrgyzstan’s Voluntary National Review will be crucial.

As the representatives of the people, you can reflect the needs of those who are otherwise not heard or underrepresented such as women and children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees, ethnical, religious and linguistic minorities and other groups to shape policies which eventually indeed leave no one behind.

You can provide a platform for inclusive and close consultations with civil society representatives and other interested and concerned stakeholders, including through open public hearings. They allow for the sharing of experiences, challenges, and lessons learned to accelerate the 2030 Agenda. You can ensure that these experiences are reflected in the VNR. 

At the same time the findings from these consultations will shape future legislative initiatives in a way that they best serve the development hopes and aspirations of all Kyrgyz people and provide an enabling environment for the achievement of the SDGs. 

In my opinion, the VNR of Kyrgyzstan would also benefit from the findings of this year’s Development Forum focused on the human capital development. We all understand that without realization of the human right to health that also incorporates equitable and affordable access to health care services human development cannot be ensured. At the same time, pandemics, persistent conflicts, climate change, rising inequalities, and deepening polarization are undermining access to quality health services.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by these challenges, hindering their right to make informed decisions and exercise full bodily autonomy without coercion, violence, or discrimination—fundamental human rights. Equitable access to human rights-based sexual and reproductive health services remains out of reach for many, especially marginalized women and adolescent girls. These setbacks demand urgent action. Without accelerated efforts in advancing reproductive and maternal health and rights for all we will not be able to reduce inequalities nor sustainable and equitable economic growth. Given the importance of this for SDG progress, the draft Pact for the Future, the outcome document of the Summit of the Future which will take place in just a few days in New York with participation of President Japarov, includes a paragraph where global leaders commit to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as a central element to achieve all SDGs. 

While Kyrgyzstan has made commendable progress towards SDGs, especially in improving maternal health, and promoting gender equality, disparities still remain. 

This is where the role of Parliamentarians becomes indispensable in ensuring equitable access to these fundamental rights. As key decision-makers, you can ensure that laws, policies, and budgets are inclusive and responsive to all citizens. And your role is crucial in mobilizing political support, securing financial resources, and establishing accountability mechanisms to advance SDG-related health goals.

Dear participants, 

Today’s policy dialogue, co-organized by the Parliament Committee group on SDGs and UNFPA, marks an important step in ensuring that reproductive health indicators are effectively monitored by Parliament. By the end of this dialogue, I am confident we will have gained a clearer understanding of the VNR process, the current status of SDG indicators related to reproductive health, and the areas where parliamentary action is most needed.

I invite you all to actively participate, share your insights, and build on the collective wisdom in this room. Your engagement is vital to ensuring that Kyrgyzstan not only meets its SDG targets but does so in a way that respects the rights and dignity of every individual.

Thank you, and I look forward to the rich discussions ahead.

Chon rakhmat!