SRSG NATALIA GHERMAN MEETS WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC RUSLAN KAZAKBAEV

16 Oct 2020

SRSG NATALIA GHERMAN MEETS WITH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC RUSLAN KAZAKBAEV

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan

On October 16, Natalia Gherman, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), met Ruslan Kazakbaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss the political and socio-economic situation in the country.

Minister Kazakbaev informed the Special Representative about the latest developments in the country, noting the efforts to bring the political situation back into the legal framework.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, the SRSG strongly encouraged Kyrgyz authorities to ensure that decisions made on the way forward for the country are being reached in an inclusive and transparent manner, in line with the Kyrgyz Constitution and legal framework.

The SRSG noted the support the UN has been providing to the reform process, including through electoral and legal assistance, parliamentary development programmes and peacebuilding efforts. She reiterated that this assistance should be based on close partnership and commitments of the Kyrgyz authorities. The SRSG stressed importance of respect for human rights, non-discrimination, as well as inclusion of young people and women in decision making process.

SRSG Natalia Gherman also mentioned about the UN-led coordination among bilateral and multilateral development partners in addressing challenges related to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the health system of the country.