Create4 was launched by United Nations Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan together with the Association of Creative Industries in 2022 as a platform to grow an emerging economic sector, accelerate innovation-driven entrepreneurship and invest in human capital. Today, it has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem for dialogue, collaboration and practical solutions aligned with national development priorities.

The creative economy is becoming an increasingly important pillar of Kyrgyzstan’s development strategy. The country’s National Development Programme 2030 identifies innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship support and future skills as key drivers of sustainable growth. As a result, creative industries are recognized as a promising source of new jobs, service exports, youth engagement and national competitiveness.

In recent years, the sector has shown steady growth. Design, advertising, IT and software development, film and video production, architecture, fashion, crafts, cultural events and digital content are expanding rapidly across Kyrgyzstan. These industries create new opportunities for talented people to transform ideas into marketable products and services.

This year’s theme — Design in the Age of AI — focused on one of today’s most pressing questions: how to harness technology to accelerate development while preserving human creativity, cultural identity and the value of original thinking.

“UNDP sees the creative economy as a strategic pathway to diversify Kyrgyzstan’s economy, create decent jobs and unlock the potential of young people. Initiatives like Create4 connect talent, technology and entrepreneurship so that ideas can become real development opportunities for the country,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative.

The festival opened with EDxCreativity, a special programme delivered in partnership with the Association of Children’s Educational Organizations and focused on the next generation. Experts explored how creativity develops in children, which future skills will matter most, how education and parenting are changing, and why societies need to nurture creators rather than consumers.

One of the highlights of the day was the performance Kөchmөn Kyyal, prepared by students from pilot schools of the Zamanbap Mugalim project. The performance symbolized the link between education, culture and innovative thinking.

“Create4 is more than a festival. It is a living community of creators turning ideas into reality. In the age of AI, it is especially important that we continue building this space together,” said Nazgul Kubakaeva, Director of the Association of Creative Industries.

The festival also featured dozens of hands-on and interactive activities, including workshops on branding, AI product creation and vibe coding, craft and design fairs, exhibitions of local brands, career zones, intellectual games and presentations of new services.

In the lead-up to the festival, Creativity Week once again brought open events across Bishkek, including the AI Debate Showcase, Creative Advertising Day, a PechaKucha networking session, and a special UNDP panel discussion on how artificial intelligence is influencing decision-making and human development.

A strong results-oriented component of the festival was the design challenge programme for creative professionals. Over one month, 10 companies presented real business briefs ranging from merchandise concepts and interior solutions to visual campaigns and comics. This gave young specialists practical client experience, stronger portfolios and market exposure, while companies gained access to fresh ideas and emerging talent.

The festival concluded with a keynote by Vladislav Derevyannykh, who delivered PostDigital: Design After the Generate Button. His message reinforced the festival’s core takeaway: artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but meaning, strategy and cultural context are still created by people.

Create4Design in the Age of AI generated new partnerships, ideas and solutions that are helping build a modern creative economy in Kyrgyzstan. UNDP will continue supporting national partners to create conditions where innovation, talent and entrepreneurship become drivers of sustainable development.

Create4 is a large-scale platform for advancing the creative economy and creator community, initiated by United Nations Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan and the Association of Creative Industries in 2022. Official partners of Create4Design in the Age of AI included the Park of Creative Industries, ololo Group and Namba Media.