On 23 May 2026, the international tourism festival “My Dream Kyrgyzstan” was held in Kadamjay district of Batken region, bringing together youth, women, entrepreneurs, local community representatives and official delegations from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The event served as a platform for strengthening good-neighbourly relations, promoting intercultural dialogue and advancing joint initiatives aimed at the sustainable development of border areas. 

The festival was organized within the framework of a joint project funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented by UNDP, IOM and UNODC. The project supports national and local partners in strengthening cross-border cooperation and social cohesion between communities in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. 

The event contributed to the implementation of the cooperation roadmaps between Batken and Fergana regions and reflects the shared commitment of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan to fostering good-neighbourly relations, expanding economic ties and promoting sustainable peace in border areas. 

The festival also contributes to the national development priorities of the Kyrgyz Republic, including regional development, youth empowerment, women’s economic participation and the promotion of tourism potential across the country’s regions. Initiatives of this kind demonstrate how cooperation and trust among communities can create tangible opportunities for local economic growth, job creation and improved quality of life. 

For UNDP, supporting the development of border regions is an important part of advancing sustainable development. The organization works closely with local authorities to help create conditions in which peacebuilding goes hand in hand with expanded economic opportunities, strengthened local capacities and the meaningful participation of youth and women in development processes. This approach helps translate peace and cooperation into long-term development dividends for local communities. 

The festival programme featured a women’s marathon, an international plov festival, youth dialogues on peacebuilding and cooperation, exhibitions of traditional crafts and local products, ethnocultural performances and a gala concert celebrating the shared cultural heritage of the peoples of the Fergana Valley. 

One of the central events of the festival was a youth dialogue that brought together young people from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to discuss common challenges and opportunities for cooperation. Participants exchanged ideas on strengthening youth leadership, building trust among communities and promoting joint initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of the region. 

These activities created meaningful opportunities for interaction among communities, fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding among young people and local participants from neighbouring countries. 

Beyond its cultural dimension, the festival also showcased the economic and tourism potential of Batken region by supporting local producers, artisans and small business representatives, while promoting cross-border cultural and tourism cooperation. Such initiatives demonstrate the tangible dividends of peace that emerge through constructive community engagement, partnerships and the shared use of regional opportunities. 

UNDP, together with IOM and UNODC, continues to support national and local partners in strengthening social cohesion, inclusive development and peaceful cross-border cooperation in Kyrgyzstan’s border areas.