AKIPRESS.COM - Prince Rahim Aga Khan paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov.

The meeting with the Head of State was held on 1st March at the Ala-Archa State Residence in Bishkek.

During the meeting, the activities of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in the Kyrgyz Republic were discussed, highlighting a shared desire to deepen cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation, improving education and economic opportunities, and protecting mountainous areas, including their ecosystems, cultural heritage, habitat, and overall quality of life.

President Japarov expressed gratitude for AKDN’s activities in Kyrgyzstan:

"We highly appreciate the activities of the AKDN and the assistance provided to address socio-economic challenges and improve the lives of vulnerable groups in the mountainous areas of the country. Taking into account the international standing of your organisation, and given its activities in the development of mountain communities, I invite AKDN to join our efforts to combat the negative impact of climate change, conserve biodiversity, and prevent natural disasters in mountain areas, as well as to implement the activities of the Global Plan of Action."

Prince Rahim Aga Khan responded:

"I am happy to return to the Kyrgyz Republic after my last visit in 2016. This is an important moment to strengthen our long-standing friendship. We look forward to deeper cooperation to achieve our common goal of a peaceful and prosperous future for this beautiful country."

The visit of Prince Rahim Aga Khan provided an opportunity to review the current cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the AKDN, and to explore ways to deepen joint efforts to improve the quality of life of people in the country within the context of long-standing cooperation.

President Sadyr Japarov and Prince Rahim Aga Khan expressed their common desire to deepen cooperation in the areas of climate, education, economy, and the protection of mountainous areas, all of which are national development priorities.

Kyrgyzstan has made ambitious commitments to achieve zero emissions by 2050. President Japarov called on the global community to focus on the preservation of mountain glaciers in the context of climate change. For Kyrgyzstan, this is perhaps the most important priority given that mountains occupy almost 94% of its territory and are a source of fresh water for the countries of Central Asia.

Kyrgyzstan continues its transition to digitalization and the application of the latest technologies in public administration and the economy. It has also started implementing a large-scale reform of the education sector.

AKDN's programmes in Kyrgyzstan have the same goals and are guided by national development priorities.

What does the Aga Khan Development Network do in the Kyrgyz Republic?

AKDN agencies have been active in the Kyrgyz Republic for more than two decades helping to improve the quality of life. An Agreement of Cooperation was ratified by parliament in 2001, creating an enabling environment for joint efforts towards sustainable and inclusive development.

Since the beginning of its work in Kyrgyzstan, the AKDN has established institutions and programmes in education, economic development, rural support, culture, health, and habitat.

AKDN works in all seven provinces of the country in line with national development priorities. In the field of education, the Aga Khan School in Osh, founded in 2002, and the University of Central Asia, founded in 2000, offer high quality education benefitting tens of thousands of students.

Since 2007, the Aga Khan Foundation has pioneered support for agriculture, early childhood education, e-health, and youth skills development. Its flagship education program, Schools 2030, will hold a Global Forum in Bishkek in June 2024. In the cultural sector, the Aga Khan Music Programme works to revive national musical traditions in collaboration with more than 40 educational institutions in the country.

The Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), Jubilee Kyrgyzstan Insurance Company and the Accelerate Prosperity Programme help stimulate economic growth, including in remote and underserved regions. KICB serves more than 400,000 customers through 54 branches across the country.

Prince Rahim’s comments during his visit to Kyrgyzstan in March 2024:

“This is my first official visit and, although it is short, we are all very pleased to be here. We share a love for this country. We see Kyrgyzstan as a dynamic and encouraging environment. There is forward momentum in the same direction in which our organization is moving, in education, climate change, and mountain communities. Our relationship with this country is more than 20 years old and, God willing, it will last for a long time.

There is a shared view between the AKDN and Kyrgyzstan on priorities and philosophy. I informed the President that the AKDN is here to help in all sectors important to him. I feel that we have a common outlook and that we are friends.

With respect to national priorities, we discussed energy, tourism, and education. The issue of mountains and glaciers is also very important. Energy, education, innovation, job creation, and the growth of the green economy are all priorities. We have a small business incubation programme that has been successful and that we can continue to develop, especially in terms of green technology. It would be important for us to build and commission renewable energy projects. Education has always been a focus, and in the context of increasing migration, education and skills for employability are indispensable if one must migrate, whether for economic or climatic reasons.

President Japarov has shown vision for the mountain ecosystem, and the work he has done to have it recognized globally as a separate idea and a set of separate problems is a great step forward for all mountain regions.”

“The Kyrgyz Republic, like many mountainous countries, is witnessing the effects of climate change first-hand. Our glaciers are melting, our biodiversity is under threat, and our people, who have lived in harmony with these landscapes for centuries, are facing unprecedented challenges.

Mountains play a key role in weather patterns, water cycles and carbon storage. Protecting them is not a regional issue, it is a global necessity.

I call on all nations, especially those with mountain areas, to support this initiative. Together, we can develop strategies that address the unique challenges that mountains face and thus contribute significantly to global climate resilience.”

From the speech of Sadyr Japarov at the First Meeting of the High-Level Committee on Global Adaptation Stocktaking on "Adaptation to Climate Change in the Kyrgyz Republic as a Mountainous Country", December 1, 2024, Dubai, UAE

_______________

"Glaciers in the mountain ecosystems of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia are of vital importance for water and energy and food security and environmental stability. The reduction of glaciers in the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains, which are part of the "Third Pole of the World," has negatively affected vital rivers in the region.

Our country has been a consistent driver of the agenda of integrating mountain issues into international negotiations at all levels for more than twenty years.

We are grateful to all partners for supporting the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic to adopt a resolution on "Sustainable Mountain Development" at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, within the framework of which 2023-2027 is declared the Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions.

For the realization of this initiative, we hope for the support not only of mountainous countries, but also of all other countries in the implementation of the adopted Global Plan of Action as per the resolution of the UN General Assembly, given that mountains are water towers that provide water to some 2 billion people.

Given the importance of collective action, Kyrgyzstan unites countries in the Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries, and has joined the Group of Friends of the Cryosphere and the Forum of Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change, a platform that brings together the countries most vulnerable to climate change and that produce the least amount of carbon emissions.

We believe that through such efforts, Kyrgyzstan is making its fair contribution to the common efforts of the international community in addressing climate change. We call on the international community to support the efforts of mountain countries in resolving the climate and environmental challenges of mountain ecosystems."

From the speech of Sadyr Japarov at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, December 1, 2024, Dubai, UAE.

______________________

"There are problems and untapped opportunities in Central Asia that can only be solved or realized with the participation of two or more countries through true regional cooperation. This is due, as already indicated, to the irrationality of national borders.

Addressing regional issues will require efforts at the political and diplomatic levels in each participating country, which in turn implies the need for assistance and support from multilateral organizations to advance negotiations."

From the speech of His Highness Aga Khan IV at the 2002 Mountain Summit, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Prince Rahim Aga Khan:

"It is a pleasure to be back in Kyrgyzstan. I have many fond memories from my previous visits, including participating in the opening ceremony of the Second World Nomad Games in 2016.

The country's rich cultural heritage and the warmth of its people are remarkable and memorable.

On this occasion, I am pleased to see the significant progress that has been made. I am also deeply grateful for the traditional Kyrgyz hospitality with which I have been welcomed, and which has been extended to me throughout my trip.

I look forward to returning at an early opportunity.”