United Nations in Kyrgyz Republic

The UN and its partners in Kyrgyzstan are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice for development that works for all people. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important to act in cooperation.

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Speech

12 December 2020

UN Secretary-General António Guterres: Carbon neutrality by 2050 is the world’s most urgent mission

As the world marks the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, a promising movement for carbon neutrality is taking shape. By next month, countries representing more than 65 per cent of harmful greenhouse gasses and more than 70 per cent of the world economy will have committed to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century. At the same time, the main climate indicators are worsening. While the Covid-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced emissions, carbon dioxide levels are still at record highs – and rising. The past decade was the hottest on record; Arctic sea ice in October was the lowest ever, and apocalyptic fires, floods, droughts and storms are increasingly the new normal. Biodiversity is collapsing, deserts are spreading, oceans are warming and choking with plastic waste. Science tells us that unless we cut fossil fuel production by 6 per cent every year between now and 2030, things will get worse. Instead, the word is on track for a 2 per cent annual rise. Pandemic recovery gives us an unexpected yet vital opportunity to attack climate change, fix our global environment, re-engineer economies and re-imagine our future. Here is what we must do: First, we need build a truly global coalition for carbon neutrality by 2050. The European Union has committed to do so. The United Kingdom, Japan, the Republic of Korea and more than 110 countries have done the same. So, too, has the incoming United States administration. China has pledged to get there before 2060. Every country, city, financial institution and company should adopt plans for net zero -- and act now to get on the right path to that goal, which means cutting global emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 compared with 2010 levels. In advance of next November’s UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, Governments are obligated by the Paris Agreement to be ever more ambitious every five years and submit strengthened commitments known as Nationally Determined Contributions, and these NDCs must show true ambition for carbon neutrality. Technology is on our side. It costs more to simply run most of today’s coal plants than it does to build new renewable plants from scratch. Economic analysis 2 confirms the wisdom of this path. According to the International Labour Organization, despite inevitable job losses, the clean energy transition will create 18 million net new jobs by 2030. But we must recognize the human costs of decarbonization, and support workers with social protection, re-skilling and up-skilling so that the transition is just. Second, we need to align global finance with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s blueprint for a better future. It is time to put a price on carbon; end fossil fuel subsidies and finance; stop building new coal power plants; shift the tax burden from income to carbon, from taxpayers to polluters; make climate-related financial risk disclosures mandatory; and integrate the goal of carbon neutrality into all economic and fiscal decision- making. Banks must align their lending with the net zero objective, and asset owners and managers must decarbonize their portfolios. Third, we must secure a breakthrough on adaptation and resilience to help those already facing dire impacts of climate change. That’s not happening enough today: adaptation represents only 20 per cent of climate finance. This hinders our efforts to reduce disaster risk. It also isn’t smart; every $1 invested in adaptation measures could yield almost $4 in benefits. Adaptation and resilience are especially urgent for small island developing states, for which climate change is an existential threat. Next year gives us a wealth of opportunities to address our planetary emergencies, through major United Nations conferences and other efforts on biodiversity, oceans, transport, energy, cities and food systems. One of our best allies is nature itself: nature-based solutions could provide one-third of the net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Indigenous knowledge can help to point the way. And as humankind devises strategies for preserving the environment and building a green economy, we need more women decision-makers at the table. COVID and climate have brought us to a threshold. We cannot go back to the old normal of inequality and fragility; instead we must step towards a safer, more sustainable path. This is a complex policy test and an urgent moral test. With decisions today setting our course for decades to come, we must make pandemic recovery and climate action two sides of the same coin.

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11 January 2021

Interactive TV series about HIV launched in Kyrgyzstan

A new television series for young people in the Kyrgyz language, School Elections, was launched online last week. During six 15–20-minute episodes, a girl, Ayana, who is living with HIV, tells her story of bullying, friendship and the fight for human dignity. The producers of the series hope that Ayana’s example will give hope to young people who face similar challenges. “We have a simple idea to promote: you may differ from others in your health, appearance or level of wealth. But regardless of this, we all deserve respect, friendship, love and happiness. This series is about kindness and acceptance of others as they are,” said Azim Azimov, Head of Production at the Media Kitchen production studio and the main screenwriter of the series. Starting on 6 November, new episodes will be aired weekly on YouTube and will also be broadcast on television, Instagram and the teens.kg youth project website. Additionally, each series has one to three interactive episodes—the leading actors invite the viewers to look at the problems raised in the series through the viewers’ eyes, experience each situation for themselves and make their own decisions. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 30% of students around the world experience various forms of bullying at the hands of their classmates. Students who are perceived as “different” are often subjected to bullying for reasons of appearance, health status, including HIV status, sexual orientation and gender identity, social status or the economic situation of the family. “This series tells people about the complex issue in simple and understandable language, to show how strong-willed and honest young people can overcome ignorance, indifference, cruelty and injustice, inspire others and change life for the better,” said Tigran Yepoyan, UNESCO Regional Adviser on HIV, Education and Health. “This series is a powerful new instrument for reducing stigma in our society, it not only shows the difficulties of living with HIV, discrimination and bullying but also motivates our adolescents not to be afraid to fight for dignity and justice and move forward towards their dreams,” said Meerim Sarybaeva, UNAIDS Country Director for Kyrgyzstan. The official soundtrack of the series, which was supported by the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education and UNAIDS, was performed by the singer Ayim Ayilchieva.

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27 July 2022

UN Deputy Secretary-General: Amid challenges hope emerges in Central Asia

It’s your road, and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. Rumi I recently returned from an official visit to five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – where I saw first-hand concrete actions after 30 years of independence to meet the manifold challenges facing a region full of profound complexities and great potential. An international conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan focused on water for sustainable development formed a cornerstone of my visit. Water is a catalyst for peace and cooperation within the Central Asia region, and across borders with Afghanistan. The countries of Central Asia are harnessing water for green energy, climate-smart agriculture and improved access to drinking water. I witnessed their determination to advance the climate agenda with a strong commitment to multilateral solutions to enhance water resource management. The Aral Sea was once the fourth-largest lake in the world. Misplaced agricultural irrigation projects decades ago, coupled with rising temperatures, shrank the sea to just 10% of its original surface by the end of the 1990s. The Aral Sea climate catastrophe stretches far beyond national or regional lines. It is a global tragedy. The UN General Assembly declared the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovation and technologies, framing the region’s aspirations to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation as potential solutions for the world. Regional climate action is critical. Global warming is accelerating the melting of Central Asia’s glaciers, which play a vital role in the region’s water and ecosystem balance. The glaciers in Central Asia have receded by 25 percent in the last fifty years – with an equal amount expected to disappear in the next two decades. This is yet another reason for global action to urgently reduce emissions and meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s goals of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. The Kyrgyz Republic has declared 2022 the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystems and Climate Resilience. I heard a clear commitment from the leaders of all five countries to do their part. The lack of financing is a serious obstacle to “greening” the region’s economies and conserving and restoring natural wealth, but ambition is notable. A greener economy combined with digitalization, will not only modernize the economies but also create new job opportunities in sectors that match global needs. It is also essential to rethink the region’s economic development pathway to make the most of the region’s demographic change. Central Asia is home to 76.5 million people, and that population is young – the median age is 27.6 years. I visited the University of Central Asia which provides the youth of the region opportunities not only to learn and grow intellectually, but also to establish the friendships and networks that will help advance regional growth and peace in the future. The youth I met throughout Central Asia shared with me their determination to shape their economies in productive ways – with emigration no longer having to be a default choice for many – and to have a seat at the table with their voices heard. I heard a similar message from women of all ages. They made a clear call for faster and far greater progress towards more equal and inclusive societies that ensure women’s economic empowerment, women’s rights and leadership. The global silent pandemic of gender-based violence, also presents a challenge which Central Asia must overcome including discriminatory practices, outdated societal norms, patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes in an effort to achieve full gender equality. This is essential to realize the contribution of Central Asia’s women to the region’s societal and economic transformation. In particular, digitalization offers an important pathway for connectivity, transforming education, improved governance and expansion of economic opportunity and inclusion. With greater efforts for openness and reform, there is unlimited potential for Central Asian economies. As with societies everywhere, an essential ingredient for social and economic transformation is strengthening human rights. While I see the glass as “some full,” the United Nations is keen to work together and support the countries of Central Asia fill the rest. Human rights must be at the centre and in the outcomes of all investments in the people of the region. As we accompany the people of the region on this journey, the United Nations will continue to represent and amplify the voices of the marginalized and vulnerable and offer solutions to achieve equality, justice and inclusion, cornerstones for sustainable development and sustaining peace in the region. In a region where borders are new, consensus is urgently needed to overcome tensions around disputed lines, paving the way for sustainable peace and regional economic and social growth. Taking action to prevent the spread of violent extremism and mitigate the impacts for people and economies of the war in Ukraine will require meticulous attention and upholding the rule of law, including international human rights law. Despite the many challenges, I left Central Asia full of hope. Change is happening. Challenges are being grasped. It is led by the vibrant young majority of the population who aspire to protect and nurture the beauty of the region’s natural environment and usher in social and economic changes. All of this can help assure an inclusive and sustainable future for all the people of Central Asia.

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12 April 2022

Meet Shirin Tolubaeva, who has devoted 40 years of her life to statistics and working with data

Meet Shirin Tolubaeva. She works as the head of the district statistics department in the Kara-Suu district of Osh province. She has devoted 40 years of her life to statistics and working with data. Shirin Tolubaeva came to work at the department of statistics back in 1982 after graduating from a technical school. She actively participated in organizing and conducting 4 Censuses in 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2022. Currently, Shirin Tolubaeva is coordinating the Census work in one of Kyrgyzstan's largest districts with a population of more than 450,000 people. There are currently 33 coordinators, 172 trainers and 1,706 enumerators in the area. During the pandemic, all enumerators were equipped with protective equipment with technical support from UNFPA. According to Shirin Tolubaeva, the Census is an opportunity to become involved in a big state event. “I have often had to explain to people why the Census is taking place in the first place: the state needs the information collected for a more accurate distribution of financial flows, to understand how to improve life in the country”, she said. Shirin Tolubaeva had a great responsibility on her fragile shoulders and despite all the difficulties and COVID-19, she continues to perform her duties responsibly and with great enthusiasm helps to collect data and information from the population, which will help the country to develop in the right direction. Learn more about UNFPA work in Kyrgyzstan.

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15 March 2022

A Perilous Plight: Connecting an isolated village in Southern Kyrgyzstan to the Internet

Zardaly, an isolated village up in the mountains in Southern Kyrgyzstan, is home to about 150 people who live without electricity and communication. A mountain trail is the only direct route to Zardaly and donkeys are the most reliable form of transport. According to Project Connect, of the 2,080 schools in Kyrgyzstan, 2,061 schools have already been connected, leaving only about 1% of schools still to be connected. Many of these schools are in harder-to-reach areas, like Zardaly, and other remote and mountainous villages, like Kyzyl-Oi and Enilchek. In the winter, connecting schools is almost impossible because the trail to Zardaly is blocked with snow. The lack of connectivity in Zardaly also discourages visitors. Guesthouses are often vacant and grandparents residing in Zardaly rarely see their grandchildren, who would prefer to be connected to the Internet during their visits. More urgently, in the event of a medical emergency, having an internet connection could assist with contacting officials to assess the weather conditions and determine if the road is open and safe to travel to the villages located in the lower valley. Alternatively, a doctor could be contacted for telehealth purposes. However, the lack of connectivity has not stripped the Zardaly residents of their creativity. In an effort to overcome the problem, several ingenious ideas have been put forward, including the Internet in a Box initiative – a device that stores a digital library that includes Khan Academy in Kyrgyz, thousands of video and audio lessons, e-books and Wikipedia in Kyrgyz, Russian and English. Not only is the Internet in a Box initiative tackling the issue of connectivity, but it is also helping to ensure that Kyrgyzstani cultural heritage is passed down as there are cartoons in Kyrgyz on the device as well, something not found too often elsewhere. Additionally, local residents have learnt to protect their devices from the harsh weather conditions in the region by using a plastic bottle to shield the live wires. While connecting schools in Zardaly is not an easy task, the surface has been scratched. Before the beginning of the pandemic, a team from the Kyrgyz Internet Society made a trip up to Zardaly, accompanied by a donkey. In order to charge the Internet in a Box and other electronic devices, they also took a large solar panel which they carefully carried up the trail. Connecting the last 1% of schools in Kyrgyzstan requires innovative technologies and financing solutions to ensure that they are connected to the Internet affordably and sustainably. Towards this ambitious agenda, in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, Giga launched a local competitive bidding process or Request for Proposals (RFP) for internet service providers to connect 13 of the hardest-to-reach schools in the country and extend the benefits of connectivity to the surrounding community. Connecting these schools, located in remote and mountainous regions, requires innovative technologies and ad-hoc network designs, as well as financing solutions to ensure that they are connected to the Internet affordably and sustainably. The two RFPs launched by Giga in August and October 2021 in search for providers who could offer a sustainable solution to connect these remote schools were unsuccessful. Giga did not receive any proposals from the telecom industry in the country. Some providers argued that each of these schools would require a tailored design and strategy to connect them to the Internet, thus driving this effort non-profitable. Others argued that the timeframe set by Giga to connect them in three to four months was challenging due to the winter months. In the coming months, Giga, in collaboration with the Kyrgyz Internet Society, will develop a playbook of connectivity solutions and business models to test and provide internet to schools in these remote and mountainous regions. Written by Lamia Farah

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28 January 2022

“Maybe one day I will be a great doctor too” – refugee student dreams to open hospital in Kyrgyzstan

Malikha, a 24-year-old Afghan refugee, studies medicine at Osh State University. She has been living in Kyrgyzstan with her parents and siblings since 2009. While still in school Malikha grew interested in biology and anatomy, and later realized that she wants to become a doctor. But as Malikha’s father is seriously ill and her parents also need to provide for four other children, Malikha’s dream appeared completely out of reach. That was until Malikha contacted the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for advice and learnt about the DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme, which offers refugee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree. “When I learnt about the programme, I immediately started collecting documents and making other preparations to apply. I was very anxious because my whole future depended on this scholarship. It was my only hope to receive a good education,” says Malikha. After a competitive selection process Malikha was awarded a DAFI scholarship. Malikha cherishes the opportunity to study medicine and is determined to become a good professional: “I am very happy to get a chance to study, to realize myself in society. I know my parents and my whole family will be proud of me.” In her free time Malikha reads books about medicine and the biographies of famous doctors, dreaming that one day she herself may become a great doctor too. In future she would like to open a hospital in Kyrgyzstan, to help poor people who cannot afford high quality medical assistance. "DAFI gives us refugees opportunities and hopes for future. I hope one day we will be able to help other young people who need support and want to change this world for the better.” Education helps people forced to flee build better futures. It also enables refugees to develop professional skills and knowledge that they can use for the benefit of their host community. But globally just 3% of refugees are currently enrolled in higher education. UNHCR works together with partners, including the DAFI programme, to provide displaced children access to quality education so they can pursue better lives. Through the dedicated support of the governments of Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, UNHCR and private donors, the DAFI programme has supported over 18,000 young refugees globally to undertake tertiary studies since 1992. Malikha is one of 83 refugee youths in Kyrgyzstan who have yet benefitted from DAFI scholarships since 1997.

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Malikha, Afghan refugee, studies at medical university in Kyrgyzstan thanks to DAFI scholarship

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30 March 2022

The Iron Horse: Improving animal and human health in Kyrgyzstan

Dr Maksat Usupbaeva zooms up the steep, winding roads of Kyrgyzstan’s Barskoon district on her motorcycle. She is one of a rising generation of veterinarians confidently riding “iron horses”, as they like to call them, to isolated rural communities. In Kyrgyzstan, a country where over half of all land area is pastureland, herding cows and other livestock is central to the national economy, society and culture. But the nation has long lacked enough trained veterinarians to care for all these animals, and crossing Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous, sparsely populated landscapes to reach the herding communities who need their services remains a challenge. As a result, one of the biggest challenges herders face relates to the health of their animals. Serious illnesses are common in their herds, such as brucellosis, a bacterial infection that humans can also contract. This, combined with the other challenges common to the sector – degraded pasturelands, disputes over land rights – has kept the productivity of Kyrgyzstan’s livestock sector low and its value chains underdeveloped. Many herders (and their animals) thus find themselves facing constant poverty and repeated threats to their health. Since 2012, however, IFAD has invested over US$70 million through the LMDP project, implemented by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, and its successor LMDP-II. Together, these projects are helping 2.6 million of the nation’s rural-dwellers build a stronger pastoral economy. Dr Usupbaeva departs to visit a farmer after receiving a call. Investing in health and wealth An important part of this support has been investing in the capacity of private veterinarians and engaging them in the provision of veterinary services, in partnership with the public sector. In 2018, the Government of Kyrgyzstan embedded privatized veterinary services into a revised legal framework. This model is now being implemented systematically across the country, with the support of IFAD. The motorcycle initiative is a key part of this model. Dr Usupbaeva is the recipient of one of nearly 630 motorcycles provided to veterinarians by IFAD. Light, fast and easily manoeuvrable on narrow, winding roads, motorcycles are proving to be a cost-effective way to traverse Kyrgyzstan’s mountain passages. The model also promotes the training of new veterinarians. To date, over 100 students have been awarded scholarships to study veterinary science at the Kyrgyzstan National Agrarian University under the LMPD and LMPD-II. As a result of the cooperation between IFAD and the Kyrgyz Government, the number of veterinarians has almost doubled, from 1,500 in 2013 to 2,600 in 2018. For these young graduates, being a veterinarian is more than just a job. It’s a chance to start a professional career in their home villages, and to contribute to the development of their communities and the well-being of their inhabitants. Such is the case for Dr Anarbek uulu Musabek, a 23-year-old resident of Birlesken village. His father died early in Dr uulu Musabek’s childhood, leaving his mother to care for him and his five siblings. But thanks to the scholarship he received through LMPD-II, he now has a way to build a livelihood in his home region and support his family. Dr Usupbaeva consults with a farmer. Trained veterinarians usher in change Traveling veterinarians are already making a difference. Most recently, they’ve been helping the government conduct a vaccination programme to control echinococcosis, a parasitic disease that mainly affects sheep and dogs but can also infect humans. These efforts build on a previous IFAD-funded project in which veterinarians were deployed to control brucellosis through training and vaccination drives. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health, these IFAD-supported campaigns are already bearing fruit. The number of cases of brucellosis in humans has dropped – from 4,412 cases per year in 2011 to less than 500 in 2020 – and the incidence of echinococcosis in humans is decreasing, too. And with improved access to veterinary care, animals are healthier – and more productive. Sales of products like milk and meat are up, and herders are benefiting from increased incomes. One study, for example, found that small herding households are now eating more meals a day, have better sanitation and drinking water, own more assets such as vehicles and household appliances, and make greater use of agricultural equipment. Visible improvements have also taken place in roads and other infrastructure, permitting access to more distant pastures. These and other IFAD-funded initiatives in Kyrgyzstan have revolutionized the way these families – and everyone who supports them, including their veterinarians – carry out their work. As Dr Usupbaeva says, “Our work has become easier thanks to the support received from IFAD.” Learn more about IFAD’s work in Kyrgyzstan.

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Dr Usupbaeva departs to visit a farmer after receiving a call.

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Press Release

23 November 2022

For the first time in the history of Kyrgyzstan trading of gender bonds started

On November 18th, 2022, for the first time in the history of Kyrgyzstan, gender bonds trading started. This initiative was the result of a partnership between UN Women Kyrgyzstan, the Bank of Asia, the Institute for Economic Policy Research of the Kyrgyz Republic, AIFC Green Finance Centre (AIFC GFC), Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, and the financial company "Senti". The Bank of Asia became the first bank-issuer of gender bonds in Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of gender bonds is to develop the business of women entrepreneurs, improve the welfare and livelihoods of women, contributing to gender equality, and women's rights and economic empowerment. Gender bonds are loans at a reduced interest rate and are designed to grow the business of women entrepreneurs. The bonds were launched not only to empower women but are also expected to have a positive impact on the development of gender economy. Ulziisuren Jamsran, the Representative of UN Women Kyrgyzstan, highlighted in her welcoming speech the contribution of gender bonds to the National Program to Support and Develop Women's Entrepreneurship in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-2026 and the National Gender Strategy on Achieving Gender Equality by 2030. "This initiative will give special attention to women entrepreneurs from suburban and rural areas and different regions of Kyrgyzstan who can bring huge dividends to the community, as women's economic empowerment and sustainable economic growth are mutually reinforcing processes", Ms. Ulziisuren Jamsran emphasized. 82,000 gender bonds worth 1,000 KGS each were put up for public auction. The period of their circulation is three years, and the total value of bonds is 82,000,000 KGS. 25% of gender bonds (20,500,000 KGS) were purchased within the first half an hour of trading, mainly by the business sector. Among the first buyers were the Accumulative Pension Fund of Kyrgyzstan; Lee Jong Beck, one of the shareholder of Bank of Asia; businessperson Jumabek Salymbekov; Nadira Kasymova, CEO of World Class Bishkek; the insurance company Jubilee Kyrgyzstan, and the association "Dordoi". For information:
One of the differences between social bonds and classic bonds is that the former are target bonds, the attracted funds of which will be used for social projects, and are issued in accordance with international principles established by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). The AIFC GFC, the only company in Central Asia accredited by ICMA and the Climate Bonds Initiative, carries out the verification of social bonds. For example, in
Kazakhstan, 60% of green bonds and loans are verified by the AIFC GFC and received the international recognition №1 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in accordance with the Global Green Finance Index.
You can leave an application to buy bonds at: www.inet.kg Event photos

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Press Release

15 November 2022

World’s population hits 8 billion people (UNFPA)

PRESS RELEASE New York, 15 November 2022 – The global population is projected to reach 8 billion on 15 November 2022, signalling major improvements in public health that have lowered the risk of dying and increased life expectancy. But the moment is also a clarion call for humanity to look beyond the numbers and meet its shared responsibility to protect people and the planet, starting with the most vulnerable. “Unless we bridge the yawning chasm between the global haves and have-nots, we are setting ourselves up for an 8-billion-strong world filled with tensions and mistrust, crisis and conflict,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. A more demographically diverse world than ever before While the world’s population will continue to grow to around 10.4 billion in the 2080s, the overall rate of growth is slowing down. The world is more demographically diverse than ever before, with countries facing starkly different population trends ranging from growth to decline. Today, two-thirds of the global population lives in a low fertility context, where the lifetime fertility is below 2.1 births per woman. At the same time, population growth has become increasingly concentrated among the world’s poorest countries, most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. Against this backdrop, the global community must ensure that all countries, regardless of whether their populations are growing or shrinking, are equipped to provide a good quality of life for their populations and can lift up and empower their most marginalised people. “A world of 8 billion is a milestone for humanity – the result of longer lifespans, reductions in poverty, and declining maternal and childhood mortality. Yet, focusing on numbers alone distracts us from the real challenge we face: securing a world in which progress can be enjoyed equally and sustainably,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “We cannot rely on one-size-fits-all solutions in a world in which the median age is 41 in Europe compared to 17 in sub-Saharan Africa. To succeed, all population policies must have reproductive rights at their core, invest in people and planet, and be based on solid data.” Complex linkages between population, sustainable development and climate change While the Day of 8 Billion represents a success story for humanity, it also raises concerns about links between population growth, poverty, climate change and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The relationship between population growth and sustainable development is complex. Rapid population growth makes eradicating poverty, combatting hunger and malnutrition, and increasing the coverage of health and education systems more difficult. Conversely, achieving the SDGs, especially those related to health, education and gender equality, will contribute to slowing global population growth. Relatedly, although slower population growth–if maintained over several decades–could help to mitigate environmental degradation, conflating population growth with a rise in greenhouse gas emissions ignores that countries with the highest consumption and emissions rates are those where population growth is already slow or even negative. Meanwhile, the majority of the world’s population growth is concentrated among the poorest countries, which have significantly lower emissions rates but are likely to suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change. “We must accelerate our efforts to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement as well as achieve the SDGs,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “We need a rapid decoupling of economic activity from the current over-reliance on fossil-fuel energy, as well as greater efficiency in the use of those resources, and we need to make this a just and inclusive transition that supports those left furthest behind.” The need for a sustainable future built on rights and choices In order to usher in a world in which all 8 billion people can thrive, we must look to proven and effective solutions to mitigate our world’s challenges and achieve the SDGs, while prioritising human rights. In order to pursue these solutions, increased investment from member states and donor governments is needed in policies and programmes that work to make the world safer, more sustainable and more inclusive. Key facts and figures at a glance It took about 12 years for the world population to grow from 7 to 8 billion, but the next billion is expected to take approx 14.5 years (2037), reflecting the slowdown in global growth. World population is projected to reach a peak of around 10.4 billion people during the 2080s and to remain at that level until 2100. For the increase from 7 to 8 billion, around 70 per cent of the added population was in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. For the increase from 8 to 9 billion, these two groups of countries are expected to account for more than 90 per cent of global growth. Between now and 2050, the global increase in the population under age 65 will occur entirely in low income and lower-middle-income countries, since population growth in high-income and upper-middle income countries will occur only among those aged 65 years or over. --------------------------------------------------- For more information, please visit: https://www.unfpa.org/8billion Event: UNFPA marks 8 billion @ ICFP 2022 - Learn more Watch the Official Video Watch the UN HQ noon press briefing on UN Web TV at 12pm EST on 15 November 2022 Social Media: #8BillionStrong For more information, please contact: Kanat Kubatbekov | UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Communications Associate | kubatbekov@unfpa.org

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Press Release

11 November 2022

UN Secretary-General António Guterres: Eight billion people, one humanity

The world’s population will reach 8 billion in the middle of November – a testament to scientific breakthroughs and improvements in nutrition, public health and sanitation. But as our human family grows larger, it is also growing more divided. Billions of people are struggling; hundreds of millions are facing hunger and even famine. Record numbers are on the move seeking opportunities and relief from debt and hardship, wars and climate disasters. Unless we bridge the yawning chasm between the global haves and have-nots, we are setting ourselves up for an 8-billion-strong world filled with tensions and mistrust, crisis and conflict. The facts speak for themselves. A handful of billionaires control as much wealth as the poorest half of the world. The top one percent globally pocket one fifth of the world’s income, while people in the richest countries can expect to live up to 30 years longer than those in the poorest. As the world has grown richer and healthier in recent decades, these inequalities have grown too. On top of these long-term trends, the accelerating climate crisis and the unequal recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic are turbocharging inequalities. We are heading straight for climate catastrophe, while emissions and temperatures continue to rise. Floods, storms and droughts are devastating countries that contributed almost nothing to global heating. The war in Ukraine is adding to ongoing food, energy and finance crises, hitting developing economies hardest. These inequalities take their greatest toll on women and girls, and on marginalized groups that already suffer discrimination. Many countries in the Global South face huge debts, increasing poverty and hunger, and the growing impacts of the climate crisis. They have little chance of investing in a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, the transition to renewable energy, or education and training for the digital age. Anger and resentment against developed countries are reaching breaking points. Toxic divisions and lack of trust are causing delays and deadlock on a host of issues, from nuclear disarmament to terrorism to global health. We must curb these damaging trends, repair relationships and find joint solutions to our common challenges. The first step is acknowledging that this runaway inequality is a choice, and one that developed countries have the responsibility to reverse – starting this month at the UN climate conference in Egypt and the G20 summit in Bali. I hope COP27 will see a historic Climate Solidarity Pact under which developed and emerging economies unite around a common strategy and combine their capacities and resources for the benefit of humankind. Wealthier countries must provide key emerging economies with financial and technical support to transition away from fossil fuels. That is our only hope of meeting our climate goals. I also urge leaders at COP27 to agree on a roadmap and institutional framework to compensate countries in the Global South for climate-related loss and damage that is already causing enormous suffering. The G20 summit in Bali will be an opportunity to address the plight of developing countries. I have urged G20 economies to adopt a stimulus package that will provide governments of the Global South with investments and liquidity, and address debt relief and restructuring. As we push for action on these medium-term measures, we are working non-stop with all stakeholders to ease the global food crisis. The Black Sea Grain Initiative is an essential part of those efforts. It has helped to stabilize markets and bring food prices down. Every fraction of a percent has the potential to ease hunger and save lives. We are also working to ensure Russian fertilizers can flow into global markets, which have been severely disrupted by the war. Fertilizer prices are up to three times higher than before the pandemic. Rice, the most widely consumed staple in the world, is the crop that will suffer most. Removing the remaining obstacles to the exports of Russian fertilizers is an essential step towards global food security. But among all these serious challenges, there is some good news. Our eight-billion-strong world could yield enormous opportunities for some of the poorest countries, where population growth is highest. Relatively small investments in healthcare, education, gender equality and sustainable economic development could create a virtuous circle of development and growth, transforming economies and lives. Within a few decades, today’s poorest countries could become engines of sustainable, green growth and prosperity across entire regions. I never bet against human ingenuity, and I have enormous faith in human solidarity. In these difficult times, we would do well to remember the words of one of humanity’s wisest observers, Mahatma Gandhi: “The world has enough for everyone's need – but not everyone's greed.” This month’s big global meetups must be an opportunity to start bridging divides and restoring trust, based on the equal rights and freedoms of every single member of humanity’s eight-billion-strong family.

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Press Release

11 November 2022

European Union and World Health Organization join forces for disease prevention and a stronger health care system in Kyrgyzstan: a new project launch

Kyrgyzstan is one of five Central Asian countries to benefit from a 4-year project, jointly funded by the European Union and World Health Organization, to strengthen immunization and the digitalization of health systems towards advancing universal health coverage. The €10 million project, to be implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, aims to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforce longer-term health resilience through stronger national immunization programmes and health information management systems. “The EU and the WHO will continue our partnership to strengthen the Kyrgyz health system after the great success during the fight of COVID-19 pandemic,” highlighted Hans Farnhammer, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. "This valuable support from the European Union will help in addressing immunization inequity and will strengthen information management systems. WHO is committed to working in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health in this journey to better health," stressed Joana Madureira Lima, Special Representative of the Regional Director, WHO in the Kyrgyz Republic. The funds will initially be used to scale-up COVID-19 vaccination, develop and implement COVID-19 and routine immunization plans, train healthcare workers and professionals involved in vaccination and strengthen immunization information systems. The project will also strengthen vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and the use of digital solutions to prevent and respond to future vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Furthermore, the funds will be used to enhance data and digital health systems in line with the recently adopted regional digital health action plan 2023-2030 for which Central Asian countries have shown strong support. The new project builds on earlier support from the European Union and WHO, from 2020-2022, to strengthen the response to COVID-19 in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

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Press Release

03 November 2022

National nutrition survey shows concerning levels of anemia and iron deficiency among children and women in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, November 3, 2022 – The Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, together with UNICEF, FAO, WFP, WHO, Mercy Corps and USAID, today released the results of the National Integrated Micronutrient and Anthropometric Survey in the Kyrgyz Republic (NIMAS) – the first large-scale study on the nutritional status of children and women ever conducted in Kyrgyzstan. A total of 3,452 households were surveyed in all regions, with blood samples being analyzed by certified laboratories in Germany, Jordan and Tanzania. The study was designed to determine the micronutrient deficiencies and other nutrition issues that are affecting children aged 6-59 months and 5-9 years, adolescent girls aged 10-19 years, women of reproductive age 15-49 years and pregnant women, presenting the data by age groups and regions. As per the findings of the survey, the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among children, adolescent girls and women, as well as folic acid deficiency among women, remain serious public health concerns. About 50 per cent of pregnant women suffer from anemia, which increases the risk of maternal and neonatal death. Iron deficiency affects 47 per cent of children from 6 months to 5 years of age, which can negatively affect their physical and intellectual development. Vast majority of women and adolescent girls, 86 per cent, suffer from folic acid deficiency. Folic acid deficiency in future mother can lead to various malformations of the brain and spinal cord in the fetus. Nationally, 44 per cent of women suffer from obesity and overweight and more than half have insufficient levels of vitamin D. According to data collected, a large number of households in Issyk-Kul, Naryn and Chui regions experience food insecurity, mainly caused by poverty. On the positive side, the NIMAS concludes that the salt iodization programme is functioning well as iodine status was found adequate among adolescent girls, non-pregnant women and pregnant women. The field work for the survey involved nine teams of 110 field workers who had to fill out questionnaires, measure height and weight, take samples of salt and flour from households; health workers were also tasked to collect blood and urine samples. Salt and Flour samples have been also analyzed to check if these products are adequately fortified in line with national regulations. Iodized salt is being used by 98 per cent of the population, however, flour was not adequately fortified in line with national standards. Salt and flour fortification are easy and cheap methods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies. The survey samples were sent to the internationally certified laboratories, such as VitMin Lab in Germany, BioLab in Jordan, and the Tanzanian Food and Nutrition Center. All salt and flour samples were analyzed in Kyrgyzstan by the Department for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance under the Ministry of Health. The total cost of the study was 545,000 US dollars. In her opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator Antje Grawe stated: "The importance of data in the formulation of national policies and decision-making cannot be overestimated. As such, NIMAS will help the Government and other partners to address the nutrition deficiencies of women and children. Evidently, safe and healthy nutrition is key to enabling people to enjoy quality lives as they make the most of their physical and mental potential, thereby realizing their aspirations and dreams." The study was conducted with UNICEF technical assistance as part of the implementation of the State Programme for the Protection of Public Health and the Development of the Healthcare System for 2019–2030, "A healthy person is a prosperous country" and the State Program for Food Security and Nutrition for 2019–2023. The work was supported by This research will help shape the nutrition and health policies needed to improve the health status of the country. Note for editors: This study on the nutritional status of children and women (National Integrated Micronutrient and Anthropometric Survey in the Kyrgyz Republic) was conducted by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), Mercy Corps and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). -------- Please see the rest of the photos from the event here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAdKsJ

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