Late in October, the EU disbursed EUR 7 million as a budget support grant towards the education sector in Kyrgyzstan, the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic said. The EU’s engagement is centred on supporting the Ministry of Education’s work in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), alongside a
Climate finance, infrastructure, agriculture, and micro and smaller businesses in Central Asia were just some of the areas that benefited from strong funding from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, over the last fiscal year. The funds, coupled with advisory support, are helping to increase private sector participation, create jobs, boost financial inclusion,
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov says he plans to revise the country’s national anthem to adequately represent the “evolving” identity of the nation, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Japarov said in an interview with the Kabar news outlet on October 30 that he believes the current anthem, adopted 33 years ago, fails to inspire patriotism and unity, and does not
The government of Kyrgyzstan has introduced a visa-free entry for organized tourist groups from China for up to 21 days. This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov at the 11th China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, which was held in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China on October 28. The
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic on October 27 hosted the E-Commerce Expo 2024, a milestone event aimed at accelerating digital transformation across Central Asia. Organized with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event attracted over 600 participants, including business leaders, government officials, entrepreneurs, and representatives from international
A memorandum of understanding was signed on 17 October between the specially protected nature areas of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic on the conservation of the snow leopard. The aim of this cooperation is to conserve the snow leopard and its habitats in the northern Tien Shan Mountains within four Specially Protected Nature Areas (SPNAs)
The Turkish Ministry of National Education has announced changes to the history curriculum — the term “Central Asia” will be replaced with “Turkestan”. This was reported by the official website of Turkey’s TRT television and radio company. The report cites Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who emphasized the importance of the unity of the Turkic
A court in Bishkek has ruled in the case of the Kyrgyz anti-corruption investigative group Temirov Live, sentencing two journalists to prison terms after finding them guilty of charges that their supporters and media watchdogs say are politically motivated, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reports. Makhabat Tajibek-kyzy was sentenced to six years in prison and Azamat Ishenbekov was
USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Änjali Kaur announced a new U.S. government-sponsored Green Solutions Activity in Bishkek. This five-year initiative backed by a $24 million investment aims to empower small and medium enterprises in the Kyrgyz Republic to adopt innovative green solutions, enhance energy efficiency, and increase the supply of renewable energy. “This investment marks a
The Forum of the Central Asian Women’s Dialogue “Women, Peace and Security: The Role of Women in Strengthening Peace and Security in the Central Asian region and Afghanistan” was held in Bishkek last week. It focused on the key role of women in strengthening peace and security in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The meeting aimed
On October 3, 15 years ago, the Agreement on the Establishment of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States was signed in the city of Nakhchivan, which later evolved into the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The Organization of Turkic States currently comprising Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, with Hungary and the Turkish Republic
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says it has approved $32.35 million of additional financing for a rural water supply and sanitation development program in northern Kyrgyzstan that is already performing well. The additional financing will empower the government to continue rolling out its water program under the Kyrgyz Republic’s National Development Strategy, 2018–2040—which aims to
The Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new strategy for the Kyrgyz Republic, defining the Bank’s priorities in the country until 2029, the Bank has announced. The strategic approach to operations in the country will be based on the following three pillars: Support for private sector competitiveness and
More than 50 entrepreneurs from Kyrgyzstan are receiving a unique opportunity to learn about e-commerce through the “Janyration Sanarip” programme. This initiative, aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the country, is being implemented through the efforts of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP Kyrgyzstan
With U.S. government support, the Kyrgyz Republic significantly improved tuberculosis (TB) detection rates and treatment outcomes, through community support of 1,183 TB patients with treatment and care, including 126 children, and detection of 92 new active TB cases through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) “Support to TB Patients” activity, the U.S. Embassy in
One of Kyrgyzstan’s most picturesque places, the Saimaluu-Tash National Nature Park, may face serious environmental risks as parts of its territory may be used for the construction of a railway from China to Uzbekistan, mk.kg reported. One of the key problems is the possible change in the category of land on which the park is
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 19 September said it has approved $109.5 million in financing to enhance the national road around the Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Kyrgyz Republic and a strategic location that connects to neighboring Central Asian countries. The Issyk-Kul Ring Road Improvement Project will construct
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law providing for the creation of a trade and logistics complex on the border with Kyrgyzstan, Tengrinews.kz reports. Tokayev signed the law “On ratification of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on the creation and
On September 18, Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held the first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan. The meeting with the heads of delegations of the participating countries of the Fund considered the issues of joint use of transboundary water resources, as
The 2nd summit of Central Asian countries and Germany was held on September 17 in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. Chaired by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the meeting was attended by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat