Voluntary National Review on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kyrgyz Republic 2020

The Kyrgyz Republic is committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Goals have been included in public policies and are reflected in the National Development Strategy (2018–2040) of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the “Unity, Trust, Creation” (2018–2022) Program of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, based on people-centered approach. The conceptual idea of the 2018–2040 Strategy is to ensure a high quality, decent standard of living for each citizen through the conceptional framework of sustainable economic growth. The Kyrgyz Republic adheres to the global commitment to ‘leave no one behind’, with a special emphasis and focus on prioritizing the most vulnerable groups of the population.

The preparation process of the Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kyrgyz Republic was a collective multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral endeavor based on partnership with all stakeholders. The Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kyrgyz Republic reflects an assessment of the basic approaches applicable in the country in terms of achieving the SDGs, evaluating challenges and successes, and identifying areas where further work is needed. The first Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Kyrgyz Republic covers an assessment of 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14 has not been assessed). The Voluntary National Review also includes information related to the COVID-19 situation and measures taken by the country to combat the pandemic.

The implementation of “leave no one behind’ commitment in the Kyrgyz Republic has necessitated the prioritization of improving the quality of life and the realization of the fundamental rights of certain groups of society which are least included in the development processes. In working on the implementation of these commitments, particularly in some key areas of sustainable human development, the country has faced serious structural problems and a lack of resources.

Utilizing a multidimensional approach for the assessment has allowed to consider the complexity involved in addressing the “leave no one behind” principle, including the full spectrum of risks and vulnerabilities. This assessment involved thematic consultations with relevant government agencies, civil society organizations and development partners. The work focused on the intersectionality of the following core elements: discrimination, geography, social-economic status and life-death indicators, and fragility.

The work undertaken and the methodologies used in monitoring the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and evaluating the ‘leave no one behind’ approach has enabled the review process to look beyond national averages and pinpoint the diverse range of specific situations encountered by those groups left furthest behind by the development in the Kyrgyz Republic. It has also helped to understand the intersecting drivers of discrimination, inequalities and exclusion faced by those left furthest behind, and the risks of continued deprivations they face.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the Kyrgyz Republic has prioritized a people-centered policy framework. To this end, national plans to ensure guarantees for legal and judicial protection of human and civil rights and freedoms, reduce inequalities, eradicate poverty, mitigate the impacts of climate change, address disaster risk reduction, invest in human development, build skills and knowledge for all segments of society, create productive jobs and healthy lives, and to promote gender equality have been implemented.

The country has virtually eliminated extreme poverty. General education is free, accessible and compulsory. The Kyrgyz Republic has also become one of the first countries in the world to fully resolve the issue of statelessness. Ending statelessness for concerned individuals benefits the society as a whole, helping to realize the inclusive and transformative nature of the Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to ensure political participation, economic empowerment and social development for all segments of society in the country.

The National Development Strategy (2018– 2040) provides an enabling environment for sustainable economic and social development, including favorable conditions for digitalization, entrepreneurship and the application of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies for use by current and future generations. In 2019, the Kyrgyz Republic was ranked highest in Central Asia, and among the highest of lower middle-income countries in the world in terms of Sustainable Development Goal implementation and progress achieved as evaluated against six broad interdependent transformations.

Since the early stages of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for transformation, a number of important international agreements have been ratified by the Kyrgyz Republic, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, providing complementary opportunities to accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Multidimensional Poverty Index has been used in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2016, with the measurement methodology for assessing multidimensional poverty approved in 2020.

While relatively stable at an average of 5.3%, the economic growth rate experienced by the Kyrgyz Republic remains insufficient to improve the welfare of the population. The still weak introduction of innovations and underdeveloped infrastructure impede overall economic development and reduce the country’s capacity to balance the living standards of both urban and rural populations. In addition, problems of unemployment and labor productivity are still urgent issues.

The Kyrgyz Republic will continue to actively work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, creating an enabling environment for human development, unlocking the potential of its people and ensuring their well-being by protecting their health, freedom and rights, and fully supporting gender equality, employment and stable incomes.

The Kyrgyz Republic will actively carry out reforms to create a competitive digital economy, creating attractive conditions for entrepreneurs and investors, and the use of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. The Kyrgyz Republic will ensure that each region makes a worthy contribution to the economic development of the country, and that favorable conditions for higher standards of living are created in each region.