November 25, 2025, NOVOTEL

Five key recommendations for the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic from Bir Duino at consultations following the Second World Summit on Social Development in Doha, Qatar

1. Strengthen citizen participation in decision-making at all levels of government and expand mechanisms for public oversight (civic space).

The document emphasizes the need for the full and equal participation of all people, including local communities, in policy development and implementation. However, the real expectations of people in Kyrgyzstan remain low, as they expect real participation in the decision-making process at all levels of government, especially on issues that affect their lives, well-being, and security.

Recommendation: expand the participation of local community leaders in local decision-making processes by providing open access to information, ensure equal conditions for decision-making at all levels of government, especially in socially significant and infrastructure projects. Restore the constitutional rights of Kyrgyz citizens and ensure a favorable environment for civil society.

“Kyrgyzstan's economy is too dependent on the extractive and tourism industries, as well as on remittances from migrants. In 2019, remittances amounted to US$2.4 billion, or almost 30 percent of the country's GDP.

“Cash transfers primarily benefit poor rural households, and with their help, poverty levels fell by 11 percent in 2019. But they cannot be a long-term development strategy for the country. This is an unprecedented brain drain,” said De Schutter. https://news.un.org/ru/story/2022/06/1425052

The UN Special Rapporteur, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to study poverty on a global scale, visited Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of the country's government. From May 23 to June 3, he met with representatives of ministries, members of parliament, representatives of regional and local authorities, civil society organizations, and local residents from low-income groups.

2. Invest in socially significant projects to reduce poverty and achieve full employment

The document identifies poverty eradication and full productive employment as key global goals. This is particularly relevant for Kyrgyzstan due to high employment in the informal sector, labor migration, often forced displacement of citizens, and the vulnerability of local communities.

“A budget is needed to finance social support. Therefore, accelerating the transition of workers from the informal economy should be a priority: workers with formal contracts pay taxes. Resources from mineral extraction should also be used to invest in human capital,” the expert noted.

“By investing in its population and providing it with alternatives to migration, strengthening education, health, and social protection systems, and fighting corruption, the country will be able to better protect its population from poverty and the human rights violations that result from it,” de Schutter concluded.

Recommendation: Direct budgetary and donor resources to projects that create jobs—development of agriculture, processing industry, ecotourism, social entrepreneurship, local production, and programs for transition to the formal economy.

3. Strengthen social protection, especially for people living in risk and disaster areas

The WHO and the UN emphasize the need for adaptive social protection systems and the integration of disaster risk reduction measures into social programs. Kyrgyz villages located in landslide-prone, earthquake-prone, and water-scarce areas are particularly vulnerable.

Recommendation: Increase public investment in sustainable social protection systems, including emergency insurance, targeted support for vulnerable households, infrastructure improvements, and funding for local risk management plans.

4. Develop education, employment, and digital skills programs for women and girls, youth, and local communities

The document focuses on youth unemployment, the digital divide, and the need to develop skills for the modern labor market.

Recommendation: Implement government programs for retraining, digital literacy, STEM education, and mobile education centers, and encourage job creation in the regions so that young people are not forced to become migrant workers in languages they speak.

The Special Rapporteur called on Kyrgyzstan to reduce its dependence on remittances and invest more in preschool education, improve the quality of schooling, and strengthen the social protection system for people living in poverty.

5. Strengthen social cohesion, equality, and the protection of fundamental human rights

It is important to work together to overcome inequality at all levels, combat discrimination, and strengthen inclusive approaches by creating committees or transparency groups from the community to the national level. Launch a public awareness campaign on judicial reform and equal access to justice through trust in the judiciary, and expand monitoring of court proceedings concerning the rights of women, youth, and vulnerable groups of citizens.https://birduino.kg/pressaru/oficzialnoe-zayavlenie-%C2%ABbir-dujno-kyirgyizstan%C2%BB-k-30-j-konferenczii-storon-ramochnoj-konvenczii-oon-ob-izmenenii-klimata-(cop30)-belem,-braziliya,-2025

Recommendation: ensure transparency in government decisions, work together to combat corruption, expand anti-discrimination policies, protect the rights of women and people with disabilities, and develop programs to support families, social integration, and intercultural dialogue.

Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan

tel: +996 (501) 156-390

email: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com

Second World Summit for Social Development

4 - 6 November 2025 | Doha, Qatar

The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolutions 78/261 and 78/318, decided to convene the “World Social Summit” in 2025, under the title “the Second World Summit for Social Development.” Convening at the level of Heads of State or Government, the summit aims to address the gaps and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action and its implementation and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The summit will be held in Doha, Qatar from 4-6 November at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Pre-Summit events will take place on 3 November 2025.

In a world facing deepening inequalities, demographic shifts, and rapid technological and environmental changes, the Second World Summit for Social Development provides a crucial platform for global dialogue and collaborative action. It is a unique space for leaders from governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, academic institutions, and the UN system to engage on social development issues at the highest level and advance social progress, ensuring that no one is left behind in our global sustainable development journey.