22 November 2023, Bishkek– The Special Envoy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on sustainable development of mountain regions, with the support of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), organized extended consultations on the draft roadmap on the 5 Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions (2023-2027).  

Two consultations – one with development partners and diplomatic corps and the other with representatives of government bodies, civil society and academia took place. The consultations were aimed at informing stakeholders on the progress on the promotion of the agenda for the sustainable development of mountain regions led by the Kyrgyz Republic in the past two years and collecting their feedback on the draft roadmap of actions to implement the agenda in the country.  

The Roadmap presents the country’s actions on sustainably developing the mountainous regions and developing cooperation on mountains globally and regionally in Central Asia. The Roadmap includes several key priorities: improving the quality of life of the population and the environment, preserving vulnerable and unique mountain ecosystems, and strengthening the climate resilience of mountain regions. It is also a particularly important strategic opportunity for the Kyrgyz Republic to strengthen international cooperation, attract development funding, and make mountain issues more visible nationally and globally.  

Mr. Nurlan Aitmurzaev, the Special Envoy of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, urged the international community to rally behind Kyrgyzstan's mountain agenda. He emphasized the importance of collaborative implementation of the roadmap to improve lives, ensure biodiversity conservation, and promote sustainable development. 

The UN recognizes the crucial role of mountains in the global ecosystem. Kyrgyzstan and the world stepped up to the emerging challenges and remain committed to advancing the #MountainAgenda through policy advice and programmatic response. 

Antje Grawe, UN RC said “We have formed a coalition, aptly named as the "UN Friends of the Mountain Agenda." This platform enables us to coordinate effectively and ensure that our support for the Mountain Agenda fully aligns with other development pillars within our five-year UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-27.“ 

Recognizing the vital role of mountains in the global ecosystem, Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, Resident Representative of UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic noted that “The mountain agenda includes several main priorities – strengthening international cooperation, attracting financing, improving the quality of life of the population and the environment, preserving vulnerable and unique mountain ecosystems, and strengthening the climate resilience of mountainous regions. This is an integrated, comprehensive agenda that addresses environmental, economic and social aspects with the focus on human development and well-being of people living in mountainous regions.” 

The Roadmap will be further discussed by the Government, and a dedicated media campaign will follow. As one of the major next steps, the Government plans to promote the agenda for the sustainable development of the mountain regions at the upcoming Conference of Parties 28 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  

Contacts for the media: 

Ainagul Abdrakhmanova, Communications Officer at UNDP in Kyrgyzstan +996775755776