23 November 2022, Bishkek– Today UNDP has marked the 30th Anniversary of Development Cooperation in the Kyrgyz Republic with its national partners, development and international community, civil society stakeholders and media.

The event was a celebration of the longstanding partnership between UNDP, the Kyrgyz Republic and its partners, and a commemoration of the development progress made by the Government and people of Kyrgyzstan throughout these years.

On the 14th of September 30 years ago, the Government of the newly formed Kyrgyz Republic and UNDP signed an agreement to commence cooperation. Since then, UNDP has implemented more than 200 projects, amounting to more than $430 million dollars in grant funding.  

UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Louise Chamberlain emphasized that remarkable thirty-year period has seen Kyrgyzstan transition into a lower middle-income country and launch many reforms. Together with the country UNDP commemorates the progress away from poverty, the empowerment and enhanced status of women, and in the improved access to vital public services for citizens.

Louise Chamberlain said: “In today’s uncertain world, fraught with multiple crises, we must work harder to prevent people falling back into poverty; we must continue to strengthen the capacity of institutions to ensure fundamental freedoms and protect human rights; and we must do more to fight inequality and discrimination. Today UNDP is known for its role in generating solutions to complex development challenges at system-wide level, supporting structural reforms and building resilience. In closing, may I once again express our appreciation for our collective efforts in the quest for Kyrgyzstan to meet the SDGs”.

At the official ceremony the Vice Chair of the Cabinet of Minister Edil Baisalov pointed successful cooperation in the area of establishment of fair, transparent and competitive elective systems, e-government, climate change adaptation, etc. “We will continue cooperating with UNDP especially with the focus on green, digital and creative economies. The Kyrgyz Republic and its people will benefit from UNDP’s expertise in innovation, digital transformation and green technologies”, said Mr. Baisalov.

Antje Grawe, UN Resident Coordinator in her welcome speech stressed the importance of UNDP for the UN system and the country. “With the UN reforms, UNDP’s technical leadership role has been further strengthened and focused in areas such as socioeconomic (green) development, digitalization, climate action, governance, and peace building. A strong UNDP that helps integrate the work and expertise of the specialized UN agencies funds and programmes remains essential for effectiveness, delivery and contribution of the whole UN system.”   

UNDP has been supporting the Kyrgyz people in their struggle against poverty since it opened an in-country office in 1993.

You can read Resident Representative Ms. Louise Chamberlain's speech here.

For information: UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.