Switzerland to support a 10-year project on enhancing parliamentarism

Local news, 03.05.2017

On 28 April UNDP in Kyrgyzstan informed about the launch of a new project “Strong and Inclusive Parliamentary Democracy” aimed at strengthening parliamentary democracy in Kyrgyzstan, ensuring its transparency and accountability to citizens.

Meeting at UNDP

The project will be implemented by UNDP in Kyrgyzstan and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The total budget of the project for 10 years is 9,8 million Swiss francs.

According to Alexander Avanesov, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic, the project is long-term, was developed in close cooperation with all the stakeholders, and meets the needs of national partners. “To date, Kyrgyzstan is the only parliamentary democracy in the region and this strive of the country shall be supported. This is the main essence of the project being launched today”, - said A. Avanesov during the official project presentation on April 28, 2017 with participation of project partners.

It was also reported that project activities are designed and will be carried out in line with the 2021 Development Strategy of Jogorku Kenesh. According to this strategy, the parliament takes a lead in shaping the future strategic vision of the country on behalf of citizens, identifies its directions and generates new ideas and development concepts.

On May 1, the project has started implementation of its first 4 year phase with a total budget of 3,8 million Swiss francs. “In the first phase, we will closely collaborate and provide expert support to the activities of three parliamentary committees, namely the committee on constitutional legislation, state structure and judicial legal affairs, the committee on social affairs, education, science, culture and healthcare as well as the committee on finance and budget,”- stated Lucio V. Sarandrea, UNDP Chief Technical Adviser on Rule of Law.

In addition, the project will closely work on enhancing capacity of Public Councils and will run a special Civic Action Fund to support various civil society initiatives that promote inclusiveness of the parliament.

During the meeting, the head of the apparatus of the Parliament Samat Ibraev has expressed his gratitude for launching this timely project and readiness to work together.

 

Local news, 10.07.2017

The Swiss Federal Councillor and Minister of Finance, Ueli Maurer, visits Kyrgyzstan on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the joint voting group in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The visit takes place from 9 to 10 July and included meetings with President Almazbek Atambaev, Minister of Finance Adylbek Kasymaliev, Governor of the National Bank Tolkunbek Abdygulov as well as with local entrepreneurs and opinion leaders. 

Meeting with President Almazbek Atambaev

Swiss Federal Councillor and Minister of Finance, Ueli Maurer visits several countries in Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan. The visit has taken place in the context of the 25th anniversary of the joint voting group with Switzerland in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 

On the occasion of his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met President Almazbek Atambaev and the Minister of Finance Adylbek Kasymaliev as well as the Governor of the National Bank Tolkunbek Abdygulov. In addition, he visited local companies and exchanged with local entrepreneurs and opinion leaders, including on export promotion and the “Taza Koom” (Clean society) project foreseeing the digitalisation of the society. 

The joint voting group in the IMF and the World Bank was founded in 1992. Next to Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan it today also includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Poland, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (the latter only in the World Bank). On behalf of this voting group, Switzerland represents the constituency and its interests with one of the 24 seats in both the Board of Directors of the IMF and World Bank. 

On his visit Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer is accompanied by State Secretary Jörg Gasser of the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters in the Federal Department of Finance.