The workshop for the Union of Local Self-Governments of the Kyrgyz Republic

On Friday, 20 May 2022, the workshop on the SDGs for staffers of the Union of Local Self-Governments of the Kyrgyz Republic took place. This event was attended by representatives of municipalities, including mayors of the cities of Talas, Kara-Suu, Batken, Kyzyl-Kyya, Aydarken, Kant, Orlovka, Kemin, etc.

The seminar was opened by Director of the Union of Local Self-Governments of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr.Bekturgan Orozbaev. Having welcomed the participants, he announced main objectives of the workshop. Secretary General of UCLG Eurasia Mr.Rasikh Sagitov delivered a welcome address in the Kyrgyz language. He highlighted that “the Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved if they are implemented in collaboration with all levels of government – national, regional and local, as well as in partnership with all stakeholders – citizens, academia, international organizations, etc.”. Further Mr.Sagitov told about the “United Cities and Local Governments” World Organization and its activity.

Director for Development of UCLG Eurasia Ms.Saida Zagidullina presented the work plan of UCLG for 2022 to leaders of municipalities of Kyrgyzstan and called on them for active participation. Special attention was paid to the upcoming UCLG World Congress that will take place in Daejeon on 10-14 October.

Ms.Tansylu Nurieva, Learning and Research Programmes Coordinator, introduced the participants to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The fundamental principles of sustainable development were presented in detail:

1. Leave no one behind

2. Integrated nature

3. Partnership

4. Multilevel governance

5. Accountability

The participants gained knowledge about localizing the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as about successful practices related to the SDGs implementation in Eurasia cities and around the world.

2022 has been declared the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystem and Climate Resilience in the Kyrgyz Republic. In this regard, special focus was made on Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate change” and targets of the Agenda related to the issues of climate and activities of local governments. It was noted that the climate strategy of the city is an important starting point for carrying out the targeted work in the field of adaptation to climate change. This is especially relevant, considering that paragraph 40 of the Roadmap for the Observance of the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystem and Climate Resilience in the Kyrgyz Republic specifies “the development, adoption and implementation of plan of activities for mitigation and adaptation”.

During the open discussion dedicated to climate, the participants presented their experience of involvement in preparing and implementing the Roadmap for the Observance of the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystem and Climate Resilience. Representatives of municipalities of the Kyrgyz Republic shared that they are successfully working under the national project “Zhashyl Muras” (Green Heritage), which implies greening and planting trees. This project is implemented jointly with citizens. Those willing to participate in this initiative are provided with a plot of land to plant “family” trees. Representatives of cities also expressed their interest in taking part in the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27) scheduled for November 2022.

At the workshop, leaders of municipalities took part in the survey that showed that SDG 3 “Good health and well-being”, SDG 4 “Quality education”, SDG 8 “Decent work and economic growth” are of the highest priority for cities of Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, the participants regard SDG 4 “Quality education”, SDG 1 “No poverty”, SDG 3 “Good health and well-being”, SDG 5 “Gender equality” and SDG 6 “Clean water and sanitation” as the most achieved goals in their municipalities. The survey also showed that 75% of municipalities are actively integrating the Sustainable Development Goals in their activities.

During the workshop, special attention was paid to the issue of preparation of Voluntary Reviews of the SDGs. In particular, the opportunity for the Union of Local Self-Governments of Kyrgyzstan in elaborating the next Voluntary National Review of the SDGs, as well as the preparation of the Voluntary Subnational Review, were discussed. The subnational review is a report developed by an association of local governments on the implementation of the SDGs in cities of a specific country.

“We see the high credibility of the Union of Local Self-Governments of the Kyrgyz Republic and its determination to achieve the sustainable development in cities of the country. Undoubtedly, the Union of Local Self-Governments of the Kyrgyz Republic has a significant potential to prepare a subnational review and UCLG Eurasia is ready to provide all possible assistance in this issue,” Secretary General of UCLG Eurasia Mr.Rasikh Sagitov noted.

At the end of the workshop, Bekturgan Orozbaev and Rasikh Sagitov awarded the participants certificates for attending the seminar on the SDGs. Summing up, Bekturgan Orozbaev thanked the team of UCLG Eurasia for its contribution to capacity-building of municipalities of Kyrgyzstan and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation.

26.05.2022

Back to the list