The Kyrgyz parliament has approved without debate the third and final reading of a controversial bill that would allow authorities to register organizations as “foreign representatives” in a way that critics say mirrors repressive Russian legislation on “foreign agents,” RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Five lawmakers voted against the bill on March 14. President Sadyr
Kazakhstan intends to sign an agreement with Kyrgyzstan on the promotion and protection of investments, KazTAG information agency reported on March 12. “To approve the draft agreement between the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on the promotion and mutual protection of investments,” says the draft
March 11 marked a significant milestone in disaster monitoring and forecasting with the introduction of a cutting-edge IT module designed for Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) monitoring, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan reported. The unveiling took place within the framework of the “Reducing Risks and Vulnerabilities from Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF)
The Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Italy, Taalai Bazarbayev took part in a recent event organized by the Italian Senate jointly with the Italian Institute for Cooperation with Asia (ISIA) on the topic “Middle Corridor: A secure transit route between Italy, Azerbaijan and Central Asia.” The event was attended by deputies of the Italian
Feminist activists and domestic violence survivors marched in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, on March 8 to mark International Women’s Day and to demand that women’s rights be defended and respected, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. The demonstrators gathered near the monument of Urkia Salieva, a figure of female emancipation in the Central Asian nation, and marched to Gorky
Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to the mountain agenda, environmental conservation and climate action took center stage as stakeholders gathered in Bishkek to discuss the establishment of a Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) at a UNDP-hosted round table on March 5 aimed to explore innovative financing mechanisms to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity and fragile ecosystems, the United Nations
American movie director Frank Chi led a four-day workshop for 20 emerging filmmakers from across the Kyrgyz Republic from February 26-29 in Bishkek. Participants learned documentary techniques to create captivating social media content about ecological changes within their communities, the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan reported. Frank Chi’s workshop was organized by Public Foundation Jandan, with funding
In a significant move to bolster regional collaboration, representatives from Central Asian nations convened at a workshop in Almaty on March 1 to forge a roadmap and action plan for a proposed second phase of the World Bank-supported Central Asia Hydrometeorology Modernization Project (CAHMP II). This gathering underscored an advancement in regional cooperation and modernization efforts in
On behalf of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 2,000 tons of diesel fuel have been allocated by the government of Kazakhstan to help Kyrgyzstan overcome the consequences of the recent accident at the Bishkek thermal electric power plant. The first batch of diesel fuel in the amount of 1,000 tons was shipped by 17
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says it is promoting green lending in the Kyrgyz Republic by adding three partner banks to its US$ 50 million Green Economy Financing Facility III (KyrSEFF III). Demir Kyrgyz International Bank, FINCA Bank Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank have agreed to engage in lending to small and medium-sized businesses and households across the country.
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov on February 28 participated in a ceremony to launch the construction of an automobile assembly plant in the country’s northern Chui region. The plant will assemble electric vehicles, commercial and passenger cars, and special equipment. It is a joint project of the Kyrgyz government, local enterprises, and the Chinese company China
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on February 27 approved a $45 million financing package for the Kyrgyz Republic Resilient Landscape Restoration Project, which is a part of the regional umbrella RESILAND CA+ Program. The project will be complemented by a $5 million grant from the Global Partnership for Sustainable and Resilient Landscapes (PROGREEN) and a $2.4 million
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will help Kyrgyzstan’s government bodies replace their motor transport with electric vehicles. The project, to be implemented through KOICA grant funds, was discussed during a recent meeting between the Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, Daniyar Amangeldiev and the Director of the KOICA office in the Kyrgyz
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President of Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman will visit the Kyrgyz Republic from 27 February to 1 March for meetings with senior government officials, the diplomatic community and Bank clients, the EBRD said. During his three-day programme, Mr Bowman will meet with Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov, Minister
Earlier this month, Tajik migrant workers in the Russian city of Samara were scared after Sunatullo Nazriev, the leader of the local Tajik diaspora, called on Tajiks who have Russian citizenship and those who want to get Russian passports in an expedited way to join Russia’s armed forces fighting in Ukraine. According to the migrant
The Kyrgyz parliament on February 22 approved on second reading a controversial bill that would allow authorities to register organizations as “foreign representatives” in a way that critics say mirrors repressive Russian legislation on so-called foreign agents, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. Dozens of nongovernmental organizations in Kyrgyzstan have called on lawmakers to reject the bill,
The Kyrgyz Central Election Commission on February 22 annulled the mandates of lawmakers Iskender Matraimov and Nurlan Rajabaliev at their own requests, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reported. The former is a brother and the latter a close associate of the former deputy chief of the Customs Service, Raimbek Matraimov, who was added to the wanted list
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released the latest Macroeconomic Review for its six member states — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. In the face of a challenging external economic environment, the Review says, the EDB region saw a strong recovery in 2023, with the aggregate GDP of the Bank’s member states increasing
On February 19, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) launched the Central Asian Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme titled “Strengthening the Digital Skills of Women Entrepreneurs”. The programme will serve as an online platform for exchange, learning, and dialogue for 21 women-led businesses from Central Asia. Through a series of workshops,
Being close neighbors with centuries-long ties and common roots, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan continue to deepen their relationship, setting a good example for regional cooperation. Both countries are close trade and economic partners as part of the Eurasian Economic Union, which also includes Armenia, Belarus, and Russia. From January-November 2023, bilateral trade grew by 12% and reached
