Statement of the UNRC a.i. in the Kyrgyz Republic at the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue “Women Innovators as Accelerators of Socio-Economic Development in Central Asia”

Esteemed Deputy Toraga (Speaker) of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chairwoman of the Dialogue of Women Leaders of Central Asian countries, Ms. Isaeva, 

Excellency, Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers,

Honorable Members of the Cabinet, Parliament, and Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic,

Dear Kakha Imnadze, 

Dear UNW Deputy Regional Director Elisa Fernandez Saenz,

Excellencies, Colleagues, Civil Society Representatives,

It is a great privilege to address you today on behalf of the UN System in the Kyrgyz Republic at this last event of the 2024 Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue. Throughout 2024, under the remarkable leadership of Deputy Speaker Ms. Isaeva, this Dialogue has advanced critical conversations around women’s leadership, and women’s role in peace, security, and economic empowerment. Aligning the various dialogues throughout the year with the global UN Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, emphasizing conflict prevention, peacebuilding, climate resilience, and economic empowerment, is particularly relevant in the current global environment! 

Allow me to also extend my gratitude to Mr. Kakha Imnadze, the Secretary General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia for the continued sponsorship of this dialogue, and to UN Women and UNDP for their unwavering support in organizing various sessions in the framework of this year’s Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue.

Today’s discussion’s focus on ‘Women Innovators as Accelerators of Socio-Economic Development in Central Asia’ comes at a pivotal time when the world is now beyond the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and our collective journey to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is in need of renewed momentum. The Summit of the Future in New York in September this year saw world leaders committing to the Pact for the Future with the aim of turbo-charging sustainable development—including further action on gender equality (SDG 5), economic development (SDG 8) and building peaceful societies (SDG 16). Rapidly accelerating these three SDGs is vital, not only as a moral imperative, but as a foundational enabler for poverty reduction, prosperity, and stability across our societies. 

Therefore, empowering women innovators in Central Asia represents not just equality, but a tremendous opportunity for unlocking the region's full potential. On the basis of current progress, the path to parity in intellectual property and innovation between women and men is a long one, with estimates suggesting that equality in this field would not be reached until 2070. Tackling this disparity needs to be a priority. It isn’t simply an issue of numbers —it is about the vast, untapped potential we stand to lose if we do not act. Ensuring equal opportunities in education, economic resources, and inclusive policies are essential steps to encourage and support women innovators who can drive significant economic and social advancements. In this context, I was also pleased to see the opening of the ‘Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO’ in Bishkek, yesterday.

As the UN System in Kyrgyzstan, we welcome the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. The Cabinet’s National Program for the Support and Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship (2022-2026) and the National Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality by 2030 are powerful testaments to this commitment. These initiatives set out clear priorities, from expanding women’s economic empowerment and enhancing access to business education, to strengthening cultural policy and eradicating gender discrimination. Women entrepreneurs will play important roles in job creation, in greening the economy and formalizing the informal labor market. 

Moreover, the 2040 National Development Strategy embeds gender equality within its broader framework, aiming to provide women with equitable access to economic and leadership opportunities. This is the type of strategic vision that should enable women’s innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive—not just within national borders, but across Central Asia.

However, significant practical challenges remain that hinder women innovators to accelerate socio-economic development. In Kyrgyzstan, only 53.5% of women are employed, compared to 79% of men. Additionally, women are often concentrated in lower-paid sectors, earning just 73.4% of men’s salaries on average. Rural women, in particular, face multiple layers of vulnerability due to limited job opportunities and traditional gender roles. Many women carry a heavy burden of unpaid care work, which restricts their ability to participate fully in the economy.

Rural women in particular face obstacles, such as limited technical skills and education, restricted access to land ownership, and inadequate access to credits and modern technology. As a result, their productivity and economic stability are limited. Beyond such economic challenges, gaps in access to healthcare and widespread gender-based violence pose further serious obstacles to women’s innovation and participation in socio-economic development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Achieving gender equality and empowering women is a shared responsibility. It requires sustained government commitment, the full implementation of state strategic plans and programs, including through the allocation of state budgets, and cooperation from every segment of society—parliaments, national human rights institutions the business community, civil institutions, media, and women groups, just to mention a few.

At the regional level, dialogues like this can drive cross-border partnerships to support women innovators and create conditions that nurture women’s potential in business and technology across Central Asia. My hope is that by the end of today’s discussions, we will have outlined practical steps to expand economic opportunities for women and foster a more inclusive and innovative environment across the region.

As we look toward Tajikistan’s incoming 2025 chairwomanship of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue, I encourage all stakeholders to continue this collaborative spirit. We must remain engaged with women from all walks of life, especially those who are often underrepresented—migrant women, stateless women and refugee women, women in border areas, women affected by HIV, survivors of violence, and women with disabilities. Their perspectives are essential for identifying the right types of investments that meet the unique needs of diverse communities and accelerate meaningful progress.

The UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, has declared that the “21st century must be the century of women’s equality.” Achieving this vision requires the leadership and dedication of the women and men present here today— in championing gender equality.

On behalf of the UN family in Kyrgyzstan, I reaffirm our commitment to advancing women’s rights and supporting gender equality in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Let us leave this Dialogue with a shared resolve to turn commitments into action, empowering women innovators to be the changemakers our societies need. Together, we can build a future where Central Asia’s socio-economic landscape is not only inclusive but also vibrant with the contributions of women across all sectors.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to a productive and inspiring dialogue.