Bishkek, 16 October 2026 - The National Forum of Members with Disabilities of Local Councils (Kenesh) of the Kyrgyz Republic, titled “An Inclusive State Begins at the Local Level,” was held in Bishkek. For the first time, more than 20 deputies with disabilities from all regions of the country gathered on a single platform to exchange experiences, define key priorities, and strengthen the participation of people with disabilities in local decision-making processes. One of the forum’s key outcomes was the establishment of the Network of Deputies with Disabilities of Local Councils.

The forum marked another important step in advancing the principles of equal representation and implementing the State Programme “Accessible Country.” In 2024, amendments were introduced to electoral legislation establishing quotas for persons with disabilities in local councils. As a result, 26 deputies with disabilities were elected for the first time in Kyrgyzstan’s history.

A significant event of the forum was a high-level plenary session at the Jogorku Kenesh, where local council deputies presented the priorities and initiatives of their respective regions. The session was attended by Marlen Mamataliyev, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, members of Parliament, and Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.

“It is particularly important that local councils include representatives from all segments of society, including persons with disabilities. This is an important step toward advancing inclusive governance. Persons with disabilities should not only be recipients of government support, but also full and equal participants in the development of public policy, decision-making processes, and the oversight of their implementation”, — said Marlen Mamataliyev, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh.

“When a person with a disability enters a representative body, they bring a perspective and experience that was previously absent. However, understanding a problem is not enough; one must also be able to achieve solutions. That is precisely what this forum was about,” said Dastan Bekeshev, Member of Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic.

“Inclusive governance begins with people participating in decisions that affect their lives. By supporting deputies with disabilities, UNDP helps strengthen the capacity of local self-government bodies so that issues of accessibility, employment, and education are reflected in territorial development planning and local budget allocation,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.

During the forum, participants deepened their knowledge of the powers and responsibilities of local councils, local budget formulation, preparation of draft decisions, and mechanisms for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the course of their daily functions as elected representatives. They also met with representatives of the Jogorku Kenesh, the Office of the Ombudsperson (Akyikatchy) of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Legal Aid Service under the Ministry of Justice. Each participant developed an individual action plan for their municipality or city.

The newly established network will enable deputies to continue exchanging experiences, coordinating initiatives, and jointly promoting solutions aimed at ensuring equal rights and opportunities at the local level.

UNDP, in partnership with the Jogorku Kenesh and government institutions of Kyrgyzstan, continues to support national efforts to advance the rights of persons with disabilities. This work includes assistance with the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, expert support for aligning national legislation with its provisions, strengthening the accessibility of public services, and expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in public and political life.

Ensuring access to justice remains a key area of focus. In partnership with the Ministry of Justice, UNDP supports the strengthening of the state-guaranteed legal aid system. Through this initiative, the Ministry provides free legal assistance via multiple channels, including a hotline, the Solidarity Bus, and state-guaranteed legal aid centres. These efforts help empower people to defend their rights and obtain necessary legal support.

UNDP also promotes the development of accessible communication services. Since 2016, the organization has supported specialized training for sign language interpreters, including in legal terminology. In addition, an online “Sign Language Interpreter” platform integrated with the Tunduk system is being developed to facilitate access to interpretation services in both online and offline formats.

Supporting the political participation of persons with disabilities reflects UNDP’s broader approach to strengthening inclusive governance. It also aligns with UNDP’s emerging flagship Governance portfolio, which focuses on developing effective and accountable institutions. By combining support for national reforms with practical local-level solutions, UNDP helps strengthen the capacity of public institutions and expand citizen participation in decision-making processes.

The Kyrgyz Republic has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and is implementing the“Accessible Country” State Programme for 2023–2030. The participation of persons with disabilities in local councils creates additional opportunities to ensure that the principles of equality and accessibility are reflected in concrete decisions and local development programmes.

The forum was organized on the initiative of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of the UNDP and Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland project “Strengthening Human Rights Protection and Equal Access to Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic”.