Bishkek, 4 March 2024 –Ivana Živković, UN (United Nations) Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia, delivered today a keynote speech at the National Dialogue on Batken Integrated Development. 

“In today’s world, the importance of integrated development is greater than ever,” Ms. Ivana Živković said. “The complexity of challenges has transformed the nature of development and traditional, sector-specific solutions are no longer effective.”  

The National Dialogue served as a platform to discuss a portfolio-based approach aimed at integrated development in Batken Province, and to generate collaborative efforts, share expertise, and formulate strategic initiatives towards a well-coordinated and comprehensive approach to the sustainable and inclusive development of Batken, fostering resilience and prosperity within the region.  

During the event, UNDP presented its offer for the integrated development of the province, and committed to promoting green growth, effective governance, climate action, and economic empowerment with the aim of fostering social cohesion and overcoming geographic, socio-economic, and other inequalities in Kyrgyzstan.  

The offer aligns with UNDP Kyrgyzstan’s current program cycle spanning from 2023 to 2027, and engages the Kyrgyz Republic's government stakeholders, donors, international organizations, financial institutions, and civil society. 

Highlighting the collaboration with UNDP, Abdikarim Alimbaev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in Batken province stated: "UNDP’s offer for Batken Integrated Development articulates its longer-term ambition to promote integrated development solutions to accelerate progress towards SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and meets our needs. This approach will help the people of Batken to improve their lives and become more resilient to external shocks."  

Over the past decade (2012-2023), UNDP has invested more than US$6 million to support regional development priorities in Kyrgyzstan. These investments have focused on several key areas, including improving community social infrastructure, increasing income-generating and livelihood opportunities, supporting small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups, and building capacities of local authorities in the improvement of public service delivery. 

Moreover, UNDP has actively engaged in building capacities of local partners in the rational management of natural resources through the adoption of smart agricultural technologies and the effective utilization of resources. 

The offer for Batken Integrated Development marks a significant step towards realizing UNDP's vision for sustainable and inclusive development in Kyrgyzstan, underlining the organization's ongoing commitment to fostering positive change and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the leading development organizations in Kyrgyzstan. Since 1993, we have been working in various areas, including inclusive development, environmental protection, crisis response, the promotion of gender equality, and collaborative efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.    

For more information, visit: www.undp.org/ru/kyrgyzstan or follow us on social media @undpkg. 

Contact for media: Ainagul Abdrakhmanova, UNDP communications officer, ainagul.abdrakhmanova@undp.org