Opening Remarks of UNRC in the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Antje Grawe at the 6th EU-Central Asia Civil Society Forum

Distinguished colleagues from the European Union and its Member States, the United Nations system and international organizations,

Esteemed representatives of civil society from across Central Asia,

It is an honor to address you at the opening of this 6th EU–Central Asia Civil Society Forum. On behalf of the United Nations system in the Kyrgyz Republic, I thank the European Union, UNOPS, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, for convening this important platform at a critical moment for the entire region - and the Kyrgyz Government for hosting this year’s Forum. By bringing governments, civil society, and international partners together, this Forum exemplifies the role of constructive dialogue in effective policymaking and development cooperation.

The themes of this year’s Forum, such as digital transformation, climate resilience, youth empowerment, or inclusive governance, lie at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They reflect a clear development reality: none of these transitions can be managed through state action alone. From its inception, the 2030 Agenda recognized participation not as a procedural formality, but as a condition for sustainable results.

Civil society and independent media are therefore not peripheral actors. They are essential development partners and accountability mechanisms. They help translate policy into practice, identify risks and exclusion early, and connect institutions with communities. Where governments and civil society engage in sustained and structured partnership, public policies are more responsive, credible, and resilient.

This is why an enabling environment for civil society and media is a development issue in its own right. The freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, opinion, and expression — enshrined in international human rights law and reflected in the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic — directly shape development outcomes. Where civic space is open, innovation thrives, marginalized voices are heard, and public trust grows. Where it is constrained, progress across the Sustainable Development Goals weakens. 

The central pledge of the 2030 Agenda — to leave no one behind — illustrates this clearly. Identifying those furthest behind, understanding the barriers they face, and reaching them requires proximity, trust, and sustained engagement. Governments cannot do this alone. Grassroots civil society organizations and community-based media are often the first to identify exclusion and the last to disengage when conditions become difficult — whether for rural women, persons with disabilities, marginalized youth, or communities absent from public debate.

This understanding is also reflected in global partnership frameworks. As the Deputy Secretary-General stated in the end of January at the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, “the scale of challenges we face demands something different: partnerships that pool resources, expertise, and political will to deliver results.” Such partnerships depend on trust and openness. Where civil society and media can operate freely, cooperation deepens and results improve. Where they face stigma or constraint, partnerships and, importantly, outcomes suffer.

Across Central Asia, civil society organizations have demonstrated their value in many concrete ways — from climate-smart agriculture and digital inclusion to youth and women-led entrepreneurship, election observation, and response to GBV. They translate global commitments into local action, keep policy debates connected to people’s lived realities and deliver services to those most in need. This is why the United Nations system in all five Central Asian countries has strong partnerships with CSOs. The latter’s contribution, however, depends on legal certainty, trust, and enabling regulatory frameworks.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is from this development and rights-based perspective that we must examine recent trends affecting civic space in Kyrgyzstan. In December 2025, the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a comprehensive report on the impact of the so-called Law on Foreign Representatives in the Kyrgyz Republic. Based on a year of monitoring and engagement, the report documented patterns consistent with stigmatization and a chilling effect, including organizations downsizing or suspending activities, reduced cooperation with state institutions, increased scrutiny by law enforcement, and growing self-censorship on matters of public interest.

These impacts are not abstract. They have affected women’s organizations, youth groups, election-monitoring initiatives, and organizations working with persons with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, people who use drugs, and sex workers — groups that are already among the most difficult to reach through formal channels.

Related concerns were raised during Kyrgyzstan’s fourth Universal Periodic Review in 2025. Numerous States highlighted issues related to the legal framework governing freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly. Several recommendations called for revisiting provisions of the Non-Profit Organizations Law related to “foreign representatives.” While the authorities have emphasized transparency objectives, international human rights standards require such measures to be necessary, proportionate, non-discriminatory, and non-stigmatizing — criteria that multiple States indicated may not yet be fully met. Against this backdrop, it is important that the ongoing preparation of a new draft Law on Non-Commercial Non-Governmental Organizations does not entrench or expand these concerns, but instead contributes to restoring legal certainty and an enabling environment for civil society, in line with international human rights standards.

Parallel challenges are emerging in the digital sphere. We acknowledge the Ministry of Culture’s initial consultative approach through the establishment of a working group on the draft Law on Bloggers. At the same time, regulation of digital content creators carries inherent risks for freedom of expression, privacy, and due process. The digital space has become a central public forum, particularly for young people. Regulation therefore requires precision and restraint, avoiding vague provisions that could discourage legitimate debate or critical voices.

As we begin a new year of cooperation, this is an appropriate moment to reflect on how legislation and practice related to freedom of association and expression can be strengthened. The United Nations system and development partners stand ready to support constructive dialogue and reform. The Kyrgyz Republic has a strong tradition of civic engagement and a record of seeking international expertise. Continued engagement with UN mechanisms, OSCE institutions, and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe would provide a practical pathway toward alignment of legislative projects with international standards.

Equally important are genuine and inclusive public consultations involving civil society organizations, media representatives, legal experts, and affected communities, with feedback meaningfully reflected in final texts.

To civil society representatives present today, I thank you for your relentless work and reaffirm that the United Nations considers your work essential. We stand with you, recognizing your contributions. 

This Forum affirms that a connected, green, and prosperous Central Asia can only be built through open societies and meaningful civic engagement. By safeguarding civic space, we are not diverting from the development agenda — we are securing its foundation.

I thank you for your attention and wish you a forum marked by candid dialogue and strengthened partnerships.