Partnership and Cooperation: UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Explore Sustainable Development Progress in the Kyrgyz Republic

July 13, 2023

 

12 July 2023, Bishkek – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened a partnership roundtable aimed at exploring UNDP's significant contributions to the sustainable development progress of the country. The roundtable provided a platform for fruitful discussions on various key areas, including green, inclusive, and digital approaches to advance the economy and improve livelihoods. Additionally, climate action and nature-based solutions for safeguarding natural resources, democratic governance and peacebuilding for enhancing social cohesion, and UNDP's involvement in health system strengthening, particularly in relation to the national response to tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, were thoroughly deliberated.

Participants from the government, civil society, and the private sector had the opportunity to reflect on country progress, partnerships for sustainable development, as well as contributions made by UNDP in this cycle. The meeting coincides with the departure of the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Louise Chamberlain, whose four-year term in the Kyrgyz Republic comes to an end this month.

 

 

Mr. Asein Isaev, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted UNDP as a trusted development partner, renowned for its open, impartial, and transparent approach in working with all its partners. He expressed, "Today's meeting serves as a platform for all participants to share experiences and provide feedback. We are delighted to expand our cooperation with UNDP to further the country's development agenda and address our national priorities." 

UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Chamberlain emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be realized with strong partnerships and cooperation at all levels. “As the UN’s development agency, UNDP supports stakeholders in government and civil society at all levels to realize their aspirations for socioeconomic, environmental and democratic progress. During the last few years, we have seen the importance of fostering social cohesion through economic inclusion and empowerment, not least in managing the critically important impacts of climate change. Promoting fairness and equity across different population groups; advancing the role of women; and fighting corruption and polarization in society are critical factors for sustaining peace and growing the economy” she added.

Mr. Almaz Isanov, Head of the Political and Economic Research Department of the Presidential Administration, emphasized the country's path toward a greener and more digital economy, with a focus on entrepreneurship and the creative economy. “A green and digital economy with emphasis on entrepreneurship and creative economy has great potential for mobilizing women in the labor force and increasing economic growth. UNDP has contributed to the articulation of significant policies and implementation of programmes in this direction, while also supporting the country with important capacities for crisis response, not least during the pandemic and border crises.”

Ms. Antje Grawe, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized UNDP's pivotal role in integrating the Sustainable Development Goals and leveraging system-wide solutions.  She noted that the roles of UN System agencies at the country level encompass development, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. “UNDP plays a key role in fostering environmentally sustainable and climate-relevant solutions in the country, while also helping to advance critical human rights considerations, such as the system of free legal aid.”

UNDP remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing global knowledge and expertise to foster inclusive development policies, while actively enabling the adoption of new technologies and innovative solutions. The organization continues to prioritize sustainable management of Kyrgyzstan's natural wealth, seize new opportunities for a green economy and low-emission development, strengthen the health and social protection system, and improve governance principles with a strong emphasis on human rights and gender equality.

***

For reference: 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.