United Nations Resident Coordinator Ozonnia Ojielo’s Statement: UN in Kyrgyz Republic Commemorates Events of June 2010

Today marks 10 years since the June 2010 events. On behalf of the United Nations in the Kyrgyz Republic, I would like to commemorate all the victims of the terrible events and express solidarity with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the people of Osh, Jalal-Abad, and of all the other places where the tragic events took place in 2010. 

Despite the deep wounds and suffering, the people of the Kyrgyz Republic have demonstrated resilience, enormous patience, and a capacity to recover. You have worked hard to lay a strong foundation for reconciliation and to create conditions for peace and prosperity. Yet, we need to remember that reconciliation is something that never ends. It is always work in progress with several ends and beginnings. This commemoration reminds us all that societies are becoming increasingly multiethnic, multi religious and multicultural. Leveraging these positive attributes strengthens countries and societies. Diversity strengthens social cohesion and, if cherished, can serve to unleash the development potential of every society. In this period when the COVID-19 pandemic is posing the greatest threat to health and socio-economic stability, our diversity can serve as a force for unity and mobilization so that together we can confront and defeat this pandemic. 

The UN remains at your service as a companion and will continue to support the Government and people of the Kyrgyz Republic in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by helping build a stable and prosperous society, in which diversity is valued, each citizen feels that he or she belongs to the community and the country, and the most vulnerable groups that are left behind feel a renewed sense of hope and opportunity for the future.