Speech by the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic at the National Council on Family, Gender Development, Social Protection, and Child Rights

Excellency Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers,
Distinguished members of the National Council, ladies, and gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my warmest wishes for a successful, prosperous and peaceful New Year and by congratulating once again Your Excellency Adylbek Kasymaliev on your appointment as Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and for assuming leadership of this so important National Council. 

It is heartening to see that one of my first high-level meetings under the Chairman of the Cabinet of Minister’s leadership in 2025 is devoted to issues that lie at the very core of the UN mandate in the country and our partnership with Kyrgyzstan under our Cooperation Framework. Today’s discussion reflects our shared commitment to the well-being of families, gender equality, social protection, the rights of persons with disabilities, and child rights, reaffirming the “Leave No One Behind” pledge of the Kyrgyz Government and of the United Nations. 

These efforts also resonate with global commitments made at the Summit of the Future in September 2024 in New York, where world leaders, including President Japarov, adopted the Pact for the Future and the Declaration for Future Generations. By linking today’s actions to these global frameworks and to the Conventions Kyrgyzstan adheres to, the country reaffirms its role as a responsible member of the international community. 

Distinguished Members of the Council,

As women make up slightly more than half of Kyrgyzstan's population, gender equality and women’s empowerment are vital to sustainable development and social cohesion. The UN System is proud to support the Kyrgyz government’s leadership in this area, including the State Program to Support Women’s Leadership and many others that form part of the Work Plan to be adopted today, which highlights the growing visibility of women leaders in business, politics, and in the society. Additionally, the UN promotes inclusive democratic processes through voter education and increased participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, migrants, and minorities. The upcoming National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2025–2027 offers a chance to advance these efforts with gender-responsive budgeting, stronger institutional mechanisms, and active engagement in forums like the Beijing+30 review in 2025. In this context, I am also glad to see the importance attributed to eradicating gender-based violence in Kyrgyzstan. 

With regards to these issues as well as social protection, the development of Kyrgyzstan’s National Development Strategy 2030 currently under development led by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and preparation for the July 2025 Voluntary National Review at the UN High-Level Political Forum are key opportunities to integrate these ambitions into long-term planning, thereby laying the foundations for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Decisions by this Council will shape these documents and ensure the most vulnerable people are not left behind. 

It is also encouraging to see that the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities are included in the 2025 Workplan. I would recommend in this context that the forthcoming report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which will be presented at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council kicking off at the end of February will be reflected in the implementation of the related actions discussed today. 

Yet, a special emphasis in today’s discussions is placed on children’s rights. The Plan of Action to implement the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child reflects Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified 25 years ago. Pressing issues include the need for trained child protection workers, increase coverage and access of poor children to State benefits, and the over-reliance on institutional care for children with disabilities. 

We commend the leadership of the Commissioner for Child Rights, Ms. Asel Chynbaeva, for ensuring an inclusive process that prioritizes children’s voices, with UNICEF playing a pivotal role in supporting this effort. However, adopting the Plan is just the beginning. Moving forward, it is crucial to establish a robust monitoring framework, integrate the Plan into sectoral and national strategies, and ensure adequate funding for its success.

Dear Participants,

Let me conclude by highlighting that today’s outcomes also hold broader significance for Kyrgyzstan’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, with the country’s report due on 27 January 2025. The UPR is an opportunity to showcase progress on human rights, including child rights, gender equality, and social protection and benefit from the experiences made by other member states in this regard. 

The UN System remains committed to continuing supporting Kyrgyzstan through technical assistance, capacity building, and fostering inclusive policymaking across all the important areas covered by this National Council which form part of the UN’s priorities in the country.

Thank you very much, and together with my colleagues from the UN Country Team, I look forward to the adoption of the Plan of Action.