UN Presents Achievements under UNDAF Priority II: Good Governance, Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Gender Equality

Ms. Louise Chamberlain, Chair of UNDAF Working Group 2, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, greeted the meeting participants and introduced Co-Chair of UNDAF Priority II Result Group (RG), Richard Komenda - Regional Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Central Asia. Ms. Chamberlain informed about the main target area of ​​work of this group - strengthening government bodies in the field of rule of law, human rights, gender equality, contributing to accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels that ensure justice, respect for human rights and gender equality, and sustainable peace for all. Ms. Louise Chamberlain called on the participants – representatives of ministries, state agencies, civil society, to actively participate in the development of the work plan by providing their suggestions, as well as expectations of action from the UN system agencies, which are partners rather than donors, focusing on results and working together with the government, and helping to implement the plans and working with partners at various levels.

She noted that UN agencies are mobilizing funds for the country, attracting various donors and helping the country to mobilize them for the country's development and its priorities. Ms. Louise Chamberlain said UN agencies are developing institutional capacities at the country level, which helps the country to achieve its goals, and try to quickly respond to the country's requests, and the experience of responding during the last year's pandemic has shown, the development of a response strategy in the emergency situation. At the end of her greeting, Mrs. Chamberlain expressed her hope for the active participation of the parties in discussing the results in order to learn lessons and optimize the planning process for subsequent joint events.

The UN also presented the UN Framework Program on Socio-Economic Measures to Overcome the Consequences of COVID-19 in the Kyrgyz Republic (SERF), which is an integral part of the UNDAF and was included in the joint work plans of all working groups. The programme provides a framework for rapid humanitarian response, and inter-sectoral response plan on emergency situations, with the Ministry of Emergency Situations as a leading state body in this process. The SERF is guided by the UN framework for immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19 that was launched by UN Secretary-General in April 2020. 

The UN also presented some of the key achievements: In 2020, the UN system has provided Election Assistance through upgrading more than 2,000 biometric voter identification kits, developing capacity for the CEC and 6,500 biometric voter identification operators to effectively manage the electoral process; increasing in number of voters registered abroad from 13,000 to 49,479; increasing transparency of campaign financing (electronic platform, procedures and analysis), participation of women and youth in the electoral process, and complied with safety requirements in view of COVID-19, purchase of PPE. The UN also helped the Parliament improve the public hearing process on budget issues and increasing public awareness of budget processes, and public involvement and engagement with Parliament through partnerships with civil society to promote civic education, public monitoring, and strengthen public input into legislation and policy development.

In 2021, the UN system will support the Kyrgyz Republic in three main areas:

1: Parliament, national and local governments have the capacity to develop accountable and transparent evidence-based policies to address issues of national importance for a more peaceful and inclusive society;

2. The justice system and key state institutions at all levels have the capacity to effectively implement public policies and plans, with effective participation of CSOs, to promote and protect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and improve access to justice and quality services;

3. Strengthen social cohesion by building community resilience to violent ideologies, including migrants, women and youth, religious leaders, civic activists.

For comprehensive support in these three main areas, $19,088,006 are required, while $ 9,104,689 is available, and $10,783,317 needs to be mobilized.

The national partners called for stronger emphasis in the JWPs on eliminating gender-based violence with closer engagement of local government and law enforcement agencies. Other requests included more focus on introduction of digital technologies to work on access to justice, strengthening free legal aid, closer collaboration with private sector, introduction of new training algorithms for prosecutors and investigators.   

For information:

The current UNDAF was signed with the Government in 2017 for 2018 and 2022, covering four thematic priorities: 

1. Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth;
2. Good Governance, Rule of Law, Human rights, and Gender Equality;
3. Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management;
4. Social Protection, Health and Education; 

The UN committed in 2017 that by the end of 2021 it would try to mobilize 221.1 million USD as the UN contribution to the development in the Kyrgyz Republic, by supporting the Government in realizing the national development strategies through a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one in the Kyrgyz Republic is left behind.  

The JWPs for 2021-2022 will be presented soon to the UNDAF Steering Committee, co-chaired by Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and the UN Resident Coordinator.