Statement by UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Louise Chamberlain at the Scientific and Practical conference “Foreign Policy of the Independent Kyrgyz Republic: main milestones” on the Occasion of the 30th Anniversary of Independence of the Kyrgyz Republic 

Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kazakbayev,


Distinguished officials of the Presidential Administration and of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic,

Excellencies Ambassadors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honored and privileged to address you on this auspicious and important day for the Kyrgyz Republic (and I thank those of you who may be forced to listen to me a second time, for your kind indulgence). I have been asked to share a few reflections around Kyrgyzstan’s cooperation in a global context, and I will make a few suggestions in keeping with the scientific and practical nature of the conference.

Our topic today is very strategic. With the country having recently adopted a new constitution, and currently undergoing a comprehensive review of its entire legal framework, the question of legal identity and foreign policy remain important and current, worthy of deep reflection.

Over the past three decades, diplomacy of sovereign Kyrgyzstan has come a long way and achieved success, with the country having become a member of key international organizations, including the UN, regional organizations, and development banks. This important work continues and signifies the continued openness of Kyrgyzstan for cooperation on issues of national and global interest.

The corpus of accords in the intergovernmental framework has evolved over time in co-creation by sovereign states to lay down the foundations for global co-existence, with member states facing equal and fair conditions. It is important, therefore, to note that international law and treaties are not an imposition; rather they reflect voluntary nature of the commitment by acceding and ratifying states, and the universality of the values represented.

On the other hand, it is also the case that acceding to international organizations involves the adoption of certain statutory documents and other agreements including of normative nature, some requiring ratification by the Parliament, as the country assumes the corresponding obligations.

In fact, the ongoing exercise of inventory of the country's legislation provides an excellent opportunity to further integrate Kyrgyzstan’s international commitments in the work of the national working groups. And while improvement of national legislation is a prerogative of the state, it warrants thorough and meaningful consultation with the civil society and expert community, to ensure that the laws are responsive to diverse societal needs and of high quality lawmaking.

For multiple and diverse values do exist in Kyrgyzstani society, and they take different forms of expression in the processes that govern the country. Kyrgyzstan is on a path moving away from one societal system, that of the Soviet Union, while aspiring to return to some of its roots; all the while making headway into a complex and multifaceted modern world at the same time. At the tender age of thirty, Kyrgyzstan is no longer an infant and has, perhaps, passed its most rebellious adolescence. It is now reaching a middle-aged, mature point of looking in its mirror – maybe on the surface of Lake Issyk-Kul – and asking itself: Who am I?

The importance of allowing such diversity of views to prevail, fostering tolerance and peaceful coexistence based on equity and fairness, is greater than ever, because Kyrgyzstan has painful recent memories of how attempts of exclusion and persecution led to violent conflict that has scarred the soul of her people.

While the ethnic composition and context has changed since independence, the issue of inclusion of ethnic minorities in all aspects of society remains an important consideration; the difference between being “Kyrgyz” and “Kyrgyzstani” must for example not be confused with issues of citizenship or other social status, because just like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights; and everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, and All are equal before the law.

The values of freedom and democracy, and respect for the environment are inherent and embedded in the Kyrgyz culture, they are not pushed from the outside. One such example comes from Manas’ description of the Karkyra valley, Where the grass is above the head and Where wild gardens bloom; and he said of the Lake:

And like a miracle of miracles; A tent of blue skies; Issyk-Kul splashed below.

Probably the god Koke-Tengir; Last tears; Collected, drop by drop, into his palm,

He gave it to the Kyrgyz for centuries.

The freedom spirit of Manas is among the country’s resilience factors. The country, close to civil war in 2010, has maintained its stability despite disruptions over the years. In the 1990s, the UN assisted social mobilization which gave authority to local leaders, contributing to strengthened self-reliance and helping to mobilise and communities to confront their problems, which built social capital and laid important foundations for social cohesion.

Independence, however, meant a massive change in the social system, and the adaptation to a market economy came like a great shock – at the price of many people having to learn new habits, change jobs and triggering extensive migration. Some of this turned into permanent brain drain, changing also the fabric of society. Nevertheless, the transition to market economy was done in the interest of the Kyrgyzstani people, not to please the international community!

Kyrgyzstan established a young democracy and early elections like today’s were competitive; a legendary parliament was developed and the legislative branch built. And so the 90s became the Decade of Dreams with expectations of a “Passport to the New World”.

During this time the country was not looking to the East or the West, but to both. This paved the way for the concept of a multi vector foreign policy; based on openness and readiness to take risks; it was a learning process; important for the country’s ability to subsequently grasp multilateral opportunity, opportunistically in the best sense, making the most of its integration in the international community.

What, then, has independence meant for Kyrgyzstani women? It appears that gender equality has regressed in Central Asia in recent years. And women have borne the brunt of the pandemic with double care burdens, and we have seen an increase in domestic violence. And yet, in the 90s, it was often women who were the drivers of the economy and of their families, assuming many heavy responsibilities when husbands lost their jobs. Today, many women continue to grow their capabilities in business and in politics – many Kyrgyzstani women are successful business leaders, and in the recent local elections, the general public demonstrated their faith in women leaders by voting in a national average of some 38 per cent.

Kanykey, the wife of Manas, had an important role as a decision maker and as the voice of people. The Queen of Alai, Kurmanjan Datka was a quite successful and fair ruler in the South of Kyrgyzstan. They are far from the only prominent women in Kyrgyzstan’s history. Thus, we must not accept a regression of gender equality in the name of tradition or faith, we must see discrimination and violence against women as inconsistent with Kyrgyzstani identity, like in many other countries that share the cultural and religious traits of Kyrgyzstan. Efforts must be made to protect the right of women to define who, where, and what they want to be, not to be cut back or diminished on the basis of their gender.

In closing: So what can we look forward to in coming years, as the country continues to refine and define itself as part of a world that is truly VUCA - Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous? Allow me to share for your consideration three areas where I see the potential for Kyrgyzstan’s growth and development in coming years:

The first area of potential is the Kyrgyzstani people as its central success factor, and the importance of investing in people for the country to increase its competitiveness, in line also with Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to fulfill human rights. The Kyrgyzstani people are open minded, self-reliant, full of hope, entrepreneurial, and vocal. This has contributed to make the country open to international cooperation, willing to engage, and ready to seek advice.

It will be important to recognize people for their skills and capabilities by shifting systems to rely on merit not on lineage, and to invest more in human development and human capabilities, in particular the quality of education and health, in order for the country not to be sidelined in a global fast paced competitive market. A high level of literacy and emphasis on education are already success factors, to be underpinned also by stronger social protection systion systems in the future.

The second potential is the importance of growing the strength and stability of institutions as a factor for success in generating domestic peace and international cooperation. Events and developments of 2020 and 2021 a suggest that Kyrgyzstan’s costume is still being right-fitted. And while several institutions are stable and working well, greater stability in legal frameworks and constitutional arrangements, fundamental state structures, and a strengthened civil service will affect not only internal stability, but the ability of the country to reach effective, trusted, and lasting agreements with its international partners, including in areas of international investment and development cooperation, and peace. One such example is how Kyrgyzstan will commit along with other member states to contribute in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions to keep global warming below two degrees. Without a proper institutional framework, scientific monitoring of progress will be challenging.

My third area of potential is that as a small country reliant on trade with the outside world, Kyrgyzstan’s openness and connectivity in the global community will increase even further, for the country to prosper. As a landlocked and mountainous country there are certain limitations on economic possibilities, and Kyrgyzstan is still at the lowest income level among Lower Middle Income countries. Nevertheless, there is considerable potential to build on, and further increase, skills and talents to build a service economy; while some Kyrgyzstanis today are global nomads, there is significant economic potential in tapping into the skilled migrant population to produce services for a global economic market, based on strong digital platforms, which means continuing as a globally oriented and open country.

Mr Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen, the future of Kyrgyzstan lies in the hands of its people. The international community can continue to help, inspire and support capacity development towards growth and prosperity. To this end, the importance of continued constructive development cooperation, and the role of key institutions and in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in sustaining Kyrgyzstan’s active roles in negotiations at the international intergovernmental level, must be underscored.

Thank you, and may I once again wish all participants good health and happiness on Kyrgyzstan’s 30th Anniversary.