Context:

While the year 2020 marked the beginning of a Decade of Action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at its outset the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world and caused the greatest socio-economic shock in a generation, impacting societies and economies at their core. In most affected countries, it will increase poverty and inequalities, jeopardize SDG progress made in eradicating poverty and inequality. Without effective socio-economic responses, lives and livelihoods will be challenged for years to come. And yet, the scale of the crisis – with the global economic downturn multiplying the health impacts – is so large that governments are challenged to find the tools and resources for a return to sustainable progress. The long-term development trajectory has been irreversibly “disrupted” and will be further shaped by the choices countries make now, and the support they receive. This is a true “development emergency” and responses to the crisis must be informed by countries’ future aspirations.

Research suggests that the COVID-19 virus may become a staying feature and we have to learn to live with the risks of infection. What is then, the “new normal”, after lockdown and shutdown is no longer possible and social distancing a necessity? What are the structural transformations needed in a resilient and regenerating economy, and what could the future economy and society of Kyrgyzstan be like? And what can stakeholders do – how can people work together – in solidarity with the most affected, to halt the increase in poverty? The COVID-19 pandemic enters our world in a context of economic vulnerability, inequality and ecological fragility – can the response be an opportunity to strengthen this social fabric and embark on a new, greener development trajectory?

The COVID-19 Recovery Forum:

The solidarity that brought the global community together to create the Global Goals (SDGs) is needed more than ever. In support of the Kyrgyz Republic to minimize the negative impacts of the COVID crisis and to chart a more resilient and sustainable future, the online COVID-19 Recovery

Forum aims to create a safe space for open and constructive dialogue on the future development trajectory of the country.

This two-day session will bring together voices from within the Government, private sector, academia, civil society and the development partners to help shape and inform a collective vision of the post-COVID-19 society, and the aspirations of Kyrgyzstan for the future. The Forum will take stock of the diverse work undertaken to date by different actors to respond and recover to the COVID-19 crisis and reframe the crisis as an opportunity to think and act creatively. Discussions will try to map the future, for example and how to create more resilient economic niches for Kyrgyzstan in areas such as the green economy, digital and creative services, and environmentally sustainable production and services. Leading global, regional and national experts will aim to inspire reflection and learning that will contribute to a shared vision for a post-COVID-19 future.

A set of outcome reflections from the Forum sessions will be gathered into an informal learning paper to inform and inspire short, medium, and long-term actions by Government, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Organisation:

UNDP and the Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic are co-hosting the Forum in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), DFID, the Soros Foundation and World Food Programme. A broad range of stakeholders from all sectors of society will be invited, and business associations, civil society and other expert networks will also be encouraged to attend.

The forum will be held in two one day sessions spread over three days (one day for dialogue, one day for pause/reflection, and one day for synthesis and summing up). The forum will be conducted fully online and be live-streamed and recorded for online participants and will be conducted simultaneously in Kyrgyz, Russian and English.

An introductory plenary will set the agenda and will be informed by key analytical presentations of the COVID-19 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment for Kyrgyzstan and other evidence-based resources. Subsequent panels, represented by experts, Government, civil society, academia, innovators, the private sector and development partners, will then drill down into thematic discussions.

Panels will include short presentations on the current context and forecasts and encourage curated discussions on future ideas, innovations and aspirations and brainstorming on how to achieve them.

This approach will allow for diagnostic reality checks while anchoring the discussion around forward-looking solutions. While the Forum will focus on socio-economic aspects of COVID recovery, cross-cutting issues such as health, sustainability and societal and gender impacts will also be discussed.

Timing: The Forum is scheduled to take place on 6-8 July 2020 and will be conducted fully online and will be live-streamed simultaneously in Kyrgyz, Russian and English.  To see Forum's agenda  and registration click here.