Kyrgyzstan - The Times Of Central Asia

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WFP and Switzerland to Strengthen Rural Communities’ Resilience to Extreme Weather

As outlined in a release on its website, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in the Kyrgyz Republic, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland, is launching the Weather Index-Based Insurance Pilot Project, an initiative aiming to strengthen the resilience of rural communities to extreme weather-related risks and shocks. The project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and other line ministries, will integrate climate and disaster risk financing into national social protection systems. Developed in collaboration with international experts and piloted in three districts of the mountainous Naryn province - Jumgal, Ak-Talaa and Naryn – the insurance project aims to assist local governments in protecting livestock farmers from extreme weather events, such as low fodder availability in pastures and the high price of fodder during extreme winters and drought. Based on the pilot results, it will be expanded to other priority regions. “The Kyrgyz Republic, with its beautiful landscapes and natural wonders, is unfortunately no stranger to the impacts of extreme climate and the accompanying risks. The vulnerability of this region calls for immediate action, and it is inspiring to see the proactive measures being taken to mitigate risks associated with the changing climate and enhance the resilience of local communities,” says Kojiro Nakai, WFP Kyrgyz Republic Representative and Country Director. “The Government of Switzerland’s funding this vital project demonstrates our joint commitment towards creating a sustainable and resilient future for the country.” Under the 2023 pilot, the project will be rolled out during the extreme summer period. The pilot will insure local governments against drought for a maximum sum of around US$ 1.2 million, with an estimated premium amounting to US$ 200,000. The insurance coverage is expected to benefit 4,500 smallholders from vulnerable communities. This initiative marks a significant step forward in building climate resilience within the Kyrgyz Republic. By leveraging international expertise and collaboration, WFP and its partners are actively engaged towards reducing vulnerability and exposure to shocks, by strengthening the adaptive capacities of rural communities.

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Blogger and Activists Placed in Pretrial Detention Following Protest over Drinking Water

As reported by RFE/RL on July 18th, the Sokuluk district court in northern Kyrgyzstan has ordered the detention of prominent blogger Ertai Iskakov along with activists Bakyt Balbaev and Baktybek Bekbolotov until September 15. Their detention relates to a recent demonstration held by two villages urging the restoration of drinking water supplies. The charges against the men include hooliganism and the unlawful obstruction of a highway. Lawyers representing the men informed said that their clients pleaded not guilty. Iskakov, a well-known blogger recognized for addressing social issues in his content. Several villages in close proximity to Bishkek, the capital, have encountered prolonged shortages in drinking water supplies.

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Promoting Sustainable Development in Central Asia: Key Highlights from the Eurasian Development Bank’s Roundtable

According to a press release issued by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), on November 16th, 2023, Almaty, Kazakhstan, served as the venue for a critical roundtable hosted by the EDB, titled "Promoting Sustainable Development in Central Asia". This gathering saw the participation of representatives from a wide range of international organizations and multilateral development banks. Attendees included the likes of the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, FAO, UNIDO, UNEP, ESCAP, UNDP, the World Health Organisation, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and CICA. The agenda was packed with discussions revolving around irrigation, water challenges, environmental and social standards of international financial institutions, and case studies that showcased collaborations in project implementation12. The EDB's latest report, "Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia", was introduced during the roundtable's first session. Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB Management Board, underscored the essential interrelationship between water, food, and energy in Central Asia. He declared the development of the region’s water and energy resources as a strategic priority for the EDB. He also expressed concerns over an impending water deficit in Central Asia within the next five years, urging for collective action supported by multilateral development banks3. Tatiana Proskuryakova, the Regional Director for Central Asia at the World Bank, also spoke at the event. She emphasized the importance of sustainable development in Central Asia to international organizations and multilateral financial institutions. She revealed that the World Bank has allocated approximately a quarter of its $12 billion investment portfolio in Central Asia to water, energy, and environmental sectors. This proportion is expected to rise to almost half in the near future4. Following this, Evgeny Vinokurov, EDB Chief Economist, presented the study "Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia". He proposed a ten-step solution to address the prevalent issues. The steps include establishing an International Water and Energy Consortium; fostering collaboration among multilateral banks; creating a regional cluster to produce irrigation equipment; consolidating efforts to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan; using PPP instruments; instituting proper water accounting; gradually integrating investment charges into the tariff structure; improving land conditions; implementing digital technology, and leveraging state-of-the-art irrigation technology and laser levelling.

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Jailed Former Minister’s Son Extradited from Turkey

The Kyrgyz State Committee of National Security announced on October 17 that Kemelbek Kutmanov, the son of incarcerated former Natural Resources Minister Dinara Kutmanova, has been extradited from Turkey to face corruption charges, according to RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov had disclosed in July that Kutmanov was detained in Turkey at the request of Bishkek, linking him to alleged misappropriation of funds at the Kumtor gold mine. Kutmanov, suspected of involvement in the embezzlement, is the son of Dinara Kutmanova, who held the position of natural resources minister from May 2021 until March of the current year. She herself was arrested in July on suspicion of participating in the embezzlement, an accusation she has denied.

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OSCE Campaign on Youth Crime Prevention and Integrity Reaches 1.5 Million People

The OSCE awareness campaign on youth crime prevention and integrity, launched in June 2023, achieved the milestone of reaching one and a half million young people across Kyrgyzstan, the OSCE has stated in a press release. Featuring some of Kyrgyzstan’s leading influencers, bloggers, artists, youth activists and athletes, the campaign showcases the stories of these local celebrities and how they pursued their passions, built successful businesses and gave back to their communities, all while adhering to the values of lawfulness and integrity. The campaign features Aigerim Akylbekova, a Kyrgyz journalist and activist, who reflects on her upbringing and the challenges of her childhood marked by high levels of unemployment. Aigerim shares how in the pursuit of a better life, some people opted for shortcuts, relying on bribery and corrupt activities. “Since childhood I believed that I could achieve everything on my own without resorting to nepotism or bribes,” Aigerim says. “Often, people choose unjust ways to excel in life. Many do this out of desperation – coming from a life of difficulty. Still, this sets us all back. Change can only begin with zero tolerance for dishonesty and corruption,” she adds. Meerim Tolepbergen, a Kyrgyz blogger with over one million Instagram followers, is also actively involved in the campaign. She discusses the key factors contributing to youth crime, drawing from her own experience as child of migrants. Children separated from their parents often grapple with self-doubt and may seek support from potentially harmful peer groups, she says, leading to possible involvement in organized crime. Meerim underscores the significance of addressing this issue and choosing a different path. The stories of Meerim and Aigerim, alongside the others in the campaign, aim to inspire and guide young people in Kyrgyzstan by offering real-life positive examples of those who have achieved their goals through legal, ethical, and productive methods.

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Armenian PM to Stay Away from CIS Summit in Bishkek

As reported by RFE/RL, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has opted out of the upcoming summit of the Council of the Leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), slated to be held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on October 13. According to the Kyrgyz presidential office on October 10, Pashinyan conveyed to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov his inability to attend the gathering during a phone conversation. This absence underscores a widening gap between Yerevan and Moscow, particularly as Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to participate in the summit. Earlier, Armenia had announced the non-participation of its troops in the ongoing military exercises led by the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Kyrgyzstan.