Dear Mr. Junushaliev, Mr. Abakirov, Mr. Mashiev, Distinguished partners, colleagues and friends,

It is a great honour to welcome you all to this tree-planting ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Development Programme.

The 60 trees we are planting today together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, and the Mayor’s Office of Bishkek, symbolize 60 years of UNDP’s work across the globe — 33 of which have been here in the Kyrgyz Republic, in close partnership with the Government and the people.

UNDP works hand-in-hand with the largest number of ministries and institutions in the country — integrating technical and expert support, strengthening national capacities, and advancing the implementation of the National Development Programme 2030.

Today, we are making a tangible contribution to President Sadyr Japarov’s national campaign “Jashyl Muras” — “Green Heritage.” We are proud to support the shared effort to green our cities and nurture a culture of environmental responsibility. Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek, with their rich heritage, human capital, and natural potential, are advancing rapidly toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Every member of the UNDP team present here today plays a vital role in supporting Kyrgyzstan’s national development priorities and ensuring that progress leaves no one behind.

Over the past 60 years, UNDP’s partnerships with governments have transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. In the last five years alone, 177 million people gained access to clean energy, 137 million women accessed essential services, and digital initiatives connected 259 million people in 52 countries to financial services. We also helped 90 countries strengthen their health systems, improve access to financing, and enhance procurement capacities.

Through our Development Financing initiative, UNDP is expanding governments’ access to services and platforms to help them deliver their national programmes more effectively.

Our flagship “Climate Promise” has mobilized over 1 billion USD to support climate action and the development of national climate strategies in 120 countries, including Kyrgyzstan.

Here, since the signing of our Cooperation Agreement in 1992, UNDP has implemented over 200 projects worth more than 430 million USD, mobilizing resources from donor countries and global funds. Together with the Government, national partners, ministries, regional representatives of the President, and the people of Kyrgyzstan, we have made significant progress in reducing poverty, promoting social and economic growth, strengthening communities, advancing access to justice and environmental protection, and supporting the Mountain Agenda and climate action. We also continue to focus on the rights and empowerment of women, youth, rural communities, and persons with disabilities.

Despite global challenges and a difficult financial landscape, we remain committed to innovation and impact — focusing our future efforts on industrialization, regional development, agriculture and tourism, and green energy — to boost prosperity, foster inclusive growth, and strengthen social justice.

May the trees we plant today grow strong — just as our partnership continues to deepen and flourish. On behalf of UNDP, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our co-organizers and partners. Thank you!