LocationsThis week, UNDP carried out a three-day mission to the Kyrgyz Republic, culminating in a technical workshop in Osh. The initiative is part of a UNDP project to strengthen urban resilience to disaster risk and climate change in Central Asia, funded by the Government of Japan.
From Dialogue to Action: Osh Hosts Workshop on Climate and Disaster Risks
August 20, 2025
During the workshop on climate and disaster risks in Osh
Armen Chilingaryan
The mission began with high-level meetings, including with Azamat Mambetov, First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, who underscored the country’s determination to strengthen preparedness and resilience: “The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the region. Our government is prioritizing the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change into development strategies and advancing early warning systems as a key tool to protect people’s lives and livelihoods. I want to highlight the successful experience of UNDP in piloting AI-supported early warning systems in Issyk-Kul region that might be disseminated in Osh city, allowing the city to adapt and apply innovative approaches for enhanced disaster resilience.”
Azamat Mambetov, First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic
UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic
At the same time, the Osh Mayor’s Office highlighted the importance of this support for the city’s long-term vision: “The UNDP project on urban resilience is especially timely as we prepare a new socio-economic development and social protection programme for Osh until 2030. Together, we will embed disaster and climate resilience, including stronger early warning systems, into the sustainable future of our city,” said Adilet Sharshenaly uulu, First Deputy Mayor of Osh.
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized that resilience-building must be rooted in national priorities and community realities: “For Kyrgyzstan, building resilience to climate and disaster risks is both urgent and essential. It is important to emphasize that UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic has already begun taking concrete steps to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Osh city. The first steps were made possible thanks to the support of national and local authorities and the strong dedication of the UNDP team. The lessons learned from Osh city will not only benefit local communities but will also strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s role in fostering regional cooperation for an urban resilient future,” she said.
Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic
UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic
The mission culminated with a full-day workshop in Osh organized in collaboration with the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR). Opening remarks came from UNDP, the Embassy of Japan, the Osh Mayor’s Office, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“This project is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. Central Asia often suffers from natural disasters such as floods, mudslides, and earthquakes, which are worsened by climate change. In light of this situation, the Government of Japan has chosen to support efforts aimed at strengthening the resilience of cities, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. I am confident that this project will help address the common challenges faced in this region,” stated Hiroyuki Suzuki, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Hiroyuki Suzuki, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in the Kyrgyz Republic
Armen Chilingaryan
The Osh workshop presented the city’s socio-economic development plan until 2026, a draft disaster risk profile, and a self-assessment toolkit for integrating risk management into urban planning. Participants tested the toolkit in practice, carried out forecasting exercises, and identified preparedness gaps and priority measures.
These activities allowed stakeholders to evaluate Osh’s current preparedness, identify vulnerabilities, and define priority measures in disaster risk reduction and climate change. The discussions concluded with a draft action plan for a working group that will follow up on the workshop’s outcomes and ensure that disaster and climate change considerations are embedded into the city’s development strategy.
Kyrgyzstan’s Leadership in Regional Cooperation
Although the project is regional in scope, with activities also spanning Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the Osh mission reaffirmed that Kyrgyzstan is expected to play an essential role in shaping and advancing cooperation on disaster risk reduction across Central Asia.
“The Urban Resilience Project is not just an initiative to reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change, but a strategic tool for the sustainable development of Osh and other cities in Kyrgyzstan,” said Sardor Kodirov, Regional Project Manager, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub.
Lessons Learned
The Osh city workshop marked the first significant milestone in UNDP’s Japan-funded regional project to enhance urban resilience to disaster risk and climate change in Central Asia. With pilot activities in Petropavlovsk — Kazakhstan, Osh — Kyrgyzstan, Dushanbe — Tajikistan, Ashkhabad — Turkmenistan, and Namangan — Uzbekistan, the project promotes national implementation, regional collaboration, and innovative approaches to urban planning.
Anchored in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement, the UNDP project is helping the Kyrgyz Republic address disaster and climate risks as part of its development vision, ensuring that communities like Osh are better protected and more resilient in the face of future hazards.
Thus, the mission also highlighted vital lessons about the respective roles of national and regional partners. A firm conclusion was the need to recognize and make visible the critical contribution of national partners and the UNDP Country Office in the Kyrgyz Republic.
For information:
Central Asia, home to 75 million people across five countries, faces mounting climate and disaster pressures. Floods and mudflows are the most frequent hazards, while earthquakes, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts threaten densely populated areas. Human-made risks, from industrial accidents to hazardous waste sites, add to the picture, with air pollution leaving many cities among the most polluted in the world. Climate change accelerates these vulnerabilities, driving more frequent extreme weather and shifting precipitation patterns that erode resilience, especially in urban settlements.
In the Kyrgyz Republic, a highly mountainous country where over 90 percent of the territory lies above 1,500 meters, disaster risks are especially acute. More than 3,000 glacial lakes pose the danger of sudden outburst floods, while frequent mudflows and landslides threaten rural and urban communities. Earthquake risk is high due to the country’s location in a seismically active zone. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan’s rapid urbanization, particularly in Osh and Bishkek, has increased exposure, with densely populated areas facing mounting pressure from air pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and climate-driven hazards.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDPKG.
Related
content
content
