The State Agency for Tourism Development under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic (SATD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a financing agreement for a joint initiative aimed at strengthening the institutional development of the Agency. The initiative will help establish a modern tourism governance model needed to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Tourism Development Programme for 2025–2030. The agreement was signed by Eduard Kubatov, Director of SATD, and Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Tourism has been identified as one of the country’s development priorities through 2030, while improving public policy and strategic governance of the sector is one of the key areas of the Sustainable Tourism Development Programme for 2025–2030. In March 2026, tourism governance was assigned to a dedicated government body, the State Agency for Tourism Development, which is currently establishing its organizational structure, internal processes, and mechanisms for engagement with the regions and the tourism sector. The joint initiative with UNDP will support the Agency in developing an institutional model that will enable it to effectively deliver on the priorities set for the sector.

“For tourism to develop, it is important that sector priorities are supported by effective public institutions. Together with UNDP, we intend to establish a clear allocation of functions within the Agency, strengthen cooperation with the regions and the private sector, and develop an action plan with specific timelines, resources and measurable results. This will enable us to address the sector’s priorities more consistently and create an enabling environment for the development of the country’s tourism sector,” said Eduard Kubatov, Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development.

Over the course of one year, with UNDP support, SATD will conduct a functional assessment of the Agency and its structural units, analyze tourism sector development trends, and review international models of public administration in tourism. Based on the findings, an Institutional Development Programme for the Agency will be developed, together with an Action Plan for 2027–2030 aligned with the budget cycle, as well as a monitoring and evaluation system with key performance indicators.

“It is particularly important for us that the Agency is investing its own resources in its institutional development. This is a strong example of national ownership and a new model of partnership with UNDP,” said Alexandra Solovieva. “We hope that today’s agreement will mark the beginning of a more systematic form of cooperation, bringing together national resources and UNDP expertise to advance the country’s priorities.”

The results of the joint initiative will contribute to strengthening the Agency’s institutional capacity, improving the effectiveness of tourism sector governance, and ensuring consistent implementation of the identified priorities.