Democratic Governance
June 11-20 – 40 representatives of the Parliament, Ombudsman’s office, Ministry of Justice and civil society organizations took part in training on legal and human rightsexpertise of laws. The training is aimed at strengthening professional capacity of staff working with examination of bills as well as helping civil society carry out independent examination of bills. Quality legal examination and control will help produce high quality laws. The trainings were organized with support of EU-UNDP New Legal Reform Project and OHCHR UN. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager ( gm@dgov.undp.kg).
June 13 – A round table “Participation of Women in Protest Movements – “OBON” phenomenon in Kyrgyzstan” took place in Bishkek. Representatives of state structures, civil society institutions, international organizations discussed results of the research on women participation in protest movements, possible mechanisms of joint interactions of state structures and civil society institutions during protest actions, as well as increasing the level of women’s participation on elections, including the role of women candidates and women electorate. The discussion was organized by NGO “Women’s Support Centre” and UNDP Project "Infrastructure for the peace - political dialogue and preventive actions". Learn more from Jamilya Arbanalieva, Programme Specialist (jamilya@youth.undp.kg).
June 19-24 – Over 40 staff members of the Ministry of Justice: including the Minister, Stats-secretary, central office staff and other departments took part in a training on increasing efficiency of the ministry’s work. The training programme was developed based on preliminary analysis Ministry’s work and covered such aspects as stages of preparing analytical documents, legislative process, usage of information technologies, gender issues, building efficient communications and translation of legal documents. The participants also learned about time management and basics of public presentations. The training was organized by the EU-UNDP New Legal Reform Project. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager (gm@dgov.undp.kg).
June 20 – USAID and UNDP launched a project on Support to National Budget Transparency. The joint project will assist the country in improving anticorruption strategies and implementation plans as well as support efforts of state agencies and civil society organizations in establishing an operational anticorruption coalition. A monitoring and evaluation system will be developed by UNDP to assist public advisory councils, civil society organizations and Parliament to assess the implementation of the national anticorruption strategy. Key partners in this project include civil society, Chamber of Accounts, Parliament, and Government. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager (gm@dgov.undp.kg).
June 25-28 - Over 30 civil society organizations leaders participated in a workshop to develop a monitoring system of the Parliament’s work. During four days parliamentary experts provided information on different facets of the parliamentary work, its functions, new rules of procedure and internal procedures. They also proposed a methodology and indicators of to assess the Parliament’s performance. Quality of the Parliament’s work does not depend solely on its members’ work but also on control by the electorate and society overall. Operational, regular and systemic civil monitoring of MPs’ work will contribute to the country’s development and maturing of the new Parliament. Based on the information provided by the experts, the workshop participants have started to develop monitoring system. Results of their work will be presented soon. This will help people understand the essence of the Parliament’s work and make election decisions more consciously. The workshop was organized by the EU-UNDP New Legal Reform Project and UN Peace Building Fund. Learn more from Ms. Gulmira Mamatkerimova, Project Manager (gm@dgov.undp.kg)
July 2 – Representatives of civil society, gender experts and experts on standardization of public services gathered in Bishkek to discuss the draft standards of public services and administrative regulation of public services. The document was developed by experts upon request of the Government’s Office with support of UNDP Democratic Governance Programme CDF project. Learn more from Ainura Kaparova, Project Coordinator (ak@dgov.undp.kg).
Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Protection
6 June – 22 inspectors of the State Inspectorate on Environment and Technical Safety from Bishkek, Chuy and Talas provinces were trained on calculation of environmental charges and inspection of business entities. A series of these trainings have already been held for inspectors from Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken, while inspectors of Naryn and Issyk-Kul will be trained soon. In total, the training will cover 70 inspectors of the newly established Inspectorate of Environment and Technical. This training was a product of partnership between two GEF and UNDP environment projects: “Management and Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Kyrgyzstan” and “Capacity Building for Improved national Funding for Global Environment Management in Kyrgyzstan”. Learn more from Mirbek Ilyazov, project manager (m.ilyazov@up.elcat.kg) and Omurbek Elamanov (o.elemanov@up.elcat.kg).
9 June – Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Economy and Antimonopoly Policy hosted a discussion of the national position of Kyrgyzstan at UN Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20. Participants of the round table representing government bodies, non-government sector, international organizations, scientific and expert community discussed the outcomes of a preparatory work for the conference as well as the issues concerning the priorities of “green economy” and composition of an official delegation of Kyrgyzstan. The discussion was supported by UNDP Environment Protection for Sustainable Development Programme. Learn more from Aleksandr Temirbekov, programme manager (a.temirbekov@up.elcat.kg).
10 June – About 100 000 fry fish of issyk-kul marinka, an endemic fish species, have been released into the Issyk-Kul Lake. This was the first release this year, which marked a new stage of the UNDP/GEF “Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Conservation of Biodiversity in Fish Sector”. The spawn was grown in two mobile incubators in the natural spawning areas of this endangered fish – in Kara-Bulun Bay (Pokrovka village) and nearby Ornok village, located in southern and northern coasts of the lake. According to preliminary estimations by the end of these activities more than half a million of young fish will be released into the lake. Artificial breeding of young fish of endemic species is critical as these endemics (issyk-kul naked osman, issyk-kul marinka) are now on the brink of full extinction. Learn more from Azat Alamanov, project manager (a.alamanov@up.elcat.kg).
20 June – Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Energy and Industry of established an Interagency Task Force on Development of Legal Acts in Energy Sector. This group consists of experts in energy, professionals of energy companies, representatives of international organizations, private business and organizations working small hydro power plants. The task force is supported by UNDP/GEF “Small Hydropower Development”. Learn more from Edilbek Bogombaev, project manager (e.bogombaev@shp.elcat.kg).
29 June – Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic at its plenary session approved the amendments into the law “On Renewable Energy Sources”. These amendments establish special tariff rates for energy generated by sources of renewable energy. Adoption of this law will help attract investments into renewable energy projects in Kyrgyzstan and generate more of “green” energy with the help of small hydropower plants, solar equipment, wind turbines and biogas technologies. The law was developed by the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Energy and Industry with support of GEF/UNDP “Small Hydropower Development” Project. Learn more from Edilbek Bogombaev, project manager (e.bogombaev@shp.elcat.kg).
Socio-Economic Development
June – According to the Department of Sanitary Inspection, in 2012 there are two imported cases of malaria registered in Bishkek and Issyk-Kul province. Therefore since the beginning of the year over 19,000 households in the epidemic-prone districts of Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken provinces were treated with anti-malaria chemicals. 214 volunteers of Village Health Committees of Chuy, Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken provinces participated in refresher training sessions on prophylaxis of malaria. In order to create a minimum reserve of drugs and treat malaria effectively, UNDP purchased Coartem, an anti-malaria drug, and handed them over to the National Clinical Infections Hospital in Bishkek and Osh province unified hospital. UNDP also continues to undertake efforts to ensure ongoing outreach to the population. Special public service announcements on malaria prevention are aired on two national channels. Learn more from Indira Moldogazieva, malaria component coordinator (i.moldogazieva@gf.undp.kg).
In June 120 doctors and 120 nurses from all regions of the country went participated in a training on “DOTS Strategy”. The training addressed various tuberculosis (TB) issues, including TB epidemiology, TB and gender, national TB control programmes, detection methods of TB and HIV, DOTS strategy treatment and chemotherapy control, formation of multiple drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). In addition, there were also seminars on bacterioscopy for 30 employees of Osh and Jalal-Abad province laboratories. Medical experts of the MDR-TB division learned about adherence to treatment by MDR-TB patients. The training was part of the series of training sessions for doctors and nurses of family medicine centers organized by UNDP as part of the Global Fund grant. Learn more from Oksana Shubina, HIV component Coordinator, GFATMUNDP, (o.shubina@gf.undp.kg).
June – UNDP purchased three portable meters for determining level of CD-4. Total cost of the equipment which helps examine the immune system of people living with HIV is about 3 million soms. One meter has been already installed in the National AIDS Center and the other two have been transferred to Chuy and Jalal-Abad province AIDS Centers. The equipment manufactured by a well-known German company was purchased via UNICEF in Copenhagen. An engineer from the manufacturer’s branch in Uzbekistan was invited to install the equipment and train the AIDS Center laboratory staff. Portable meters will be used to conduct 900 examinations in the near future. Learn more from Oksana Shubina, HIV component Coordinator, GFATMUNDP, (o.shubina@gf.undp.kg).
In June UNDP as part of the Global Fund grant handed over 2.5 m soms worth of humanitarian aid to NGOs of Chuy and Osh provinces, as well as to the National Narcology Center. These are various medical products: syringes, alcohol wipes, condoms used for prevention of HIV infection among vulnerable groups. Learn more from Oksana Shubina, HIV component Coordinator, GFATMUNDP, (o.shubina@gf.undp.kg).
June 6-21 – Beneficiaries of seven UNDP pilot villages in Issyk-Kul province participated in training on cattle breeding, feeding, prophylaxis and treatment of cattle. 94 people participated in the training organized by UNDP Poverty Reduction Programme. The training will help them improve their practical activities and efficiency of cattle breeding. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Poverty Reduction Programme Manager, (md@prp.undp.kg).
June 9-11 – 18 consultants of consulting and marketing centers of Jylan-Aryk village of Naryn province participated in a training on effective potato growing techniques. Trainers of “Agrolit” Public Foundation conducted the training and helped establish nine potato seed funds in new UNDP pilot villages. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Poverty Reduction Programme Manager, (md@prp.undp.kg).
June 11-13 – Unemployed women from pilot villages of Batken province took part in training on development of cattle breeding and milk processing. These villages are target villages of the UNDP poverty reduction programme. The information provided in the seminars can help rural women develop additional income generating activity and diversify family business, which will increase income of their families. The training was part of the project “Expanding economic opportunities for rural women-entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan” Project funded by AGFUND. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Programme Manager, (md@prp.undp.kg).
June 15 – UNDP together with «Partnership Network» Association conducted a campaign titled «Closer to Each Other – Away From Drugs» at Sokuluk village secondary school of Chuy province to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. About 50 high school students from five secondary schools of Sokuluk district attended the event, where they watched a video that highlights negative impact of drug abuse. Participants also received CDs with copies of the video. According to expert estimates Sokuluk district has the largest number of injecting drug users in Chui province – more than 2,500. Learn more from Oksana Shubina, HIV component Coordinator, GFATMUNDP, (o.shubina@gf.undp.kg).
On June 16 – UNDP and eight non-governmental organizations signed grant agreements to finance their work on protection of human rights and advance interests of people living with HIV in Bishkek, Chuy province, in the cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad. They are part of the programme on increasing availability and quality of prevention, treatment, detection and care services for HIV-positive individuals among the most vulnerable groups in the Kyrgyz Republic. The grantees were selected through a competitive process. One of the main criteria was presence of PLHIV representatives among staff members. Learn more from Oksana Shubina, HIV component Coordinator, GFATMUNDP, (o.shubina@gf.undp.kg).
June 18-19 – 17 women of Telman village, Karasuu district, Osh province took part in training on development of greenhouses. These women are part of the “Expanding economic opportunities for rural women-entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan” project funded by AGFUND and involved in greenhouse business. The workshop will help participants grow early vegetables, which can sold later. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Poverty Reduction Programme Manager, (md@prp.undp.kg).
June 27-30– Field Specialists of UNDP Poverty Reduction Programme conducted “Start your business” training in Suusamyr village of Jaiyl district in Chuy province. 15 people participated in the training and developed business plans on of new small-scaled businesses. As a result the participants were trained on the basics of entrepreneurship and businesses profitable for this region. The training was organized by GEF/UNDP “Sustainable Management of Mountain Pastures in Suusamyr Valley, Kyrgyzstan” project. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Poverty Reduction Programme Manager, (md@prp.undp.kg).
June 28-30 – UNDP conducted a two-day training for journalists on the role of media in the prevention of HIV. Representatives of various television and radio stations, newspapers, and information agencies discussed principles of covering these issues in mass media and learned about ways of working with people living with HIV and promotion of tolerant attitude towards them. They also discussed mistakes made in reporting on HIV, ethics and stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. Journalists learned about programme activities of the Global Fund in Kyrgyzstan, government policy, global situation, screening, treatment, prevention etc. Learn more from Oksana Shubina, HIV component Coordinator, GFATMUNDP, (o.shubina@gf.undp.kg).
July 1 – Jacek Kluczkowski, Ambassdor of Poland to the Kyrgyz Republic visited Batken and Osh provinces. He visited Aidarken village of Batken province to see results of the UNDP-UNEP project on creating alternative job opportunities for local residents. He also visited Ishkavan village of Kara-Suu district (Osh) where UNDP implemented several projects funded by the Polish Government. Within those projects UNDP helped to develop consulting and marketing centers with seed funds for effective agricultural production. It also purchased ultrasound and other medical equipment for Group of Family Physicians in the village. Learn more from Mira Djangaracheva, Poverty Reduction Programme Manager, (md@prp.undp.kg).
