BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan

On October 26, 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), concluded her mission in the Kyrgyz Republic by having meetings with Aida Kasymalieva, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, Isa Omurkulov, leader of SDPK parliamentary faction, and Nuran Niyazaliev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Deputy Minister Niyazaliev thanked the SRSG for her personal engagement in supporting Kyrgyzstan. The Deputy Minister and MPs pointed out that all possible efforts were applied to bring the political situation back into the legal framework. They informed about the most recently adopted legislation concerning constitutional changes and electoral process. Interlocutors confirmed that parliamentary elections had been postponed until spring of 2021 and the country has more time to prepare for them. They appreciated the role of the UN in helping the Government to address the most pressing socio-economic issues in the country, exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, the SRSG pointed out that as a result of consultations with the national authorities, business community, civil society representatives, including women and youth organizations, the following set of priority areas of UN engagement to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in overcoming the current crisis was agreed: rule of law, socio-economic stabilization, health, education, social protection, electoral support and human rights.

The UN would continue its humanitarian assistance, in particular to the most vulnerable groups of population, including through the United Nations COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

The SRSG underlined that the next elections have to be free and fair, ensuring   meaningful participation of women and youth, and with strong oversight of the electoral process. The importance of ensuring inclusiveness and transparency of the decision-making process, in line with the Kyrgyz Constitution and national legislation, was highlighted as a basis for UN’s support.