Your Excellencies, Dear National and International Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today we are here to celebrate the launch of the second United Nations Development Assistance Framework that defines the areas of assistance to be provided by the UN, to Kyrgyzstan, for the period 2012 to 2016. I am pleased to note that the areas defined in the UNDAF are closely aligned with national priorities and have been developed in very close collaboration with civil society and key national partners. And, as the United Nations always does, around the world and in Kyrgyzstan in particular, we will implement our activities in close partnership with government and other national and international stakeholders.

I would like to look back very briefly at how this marks the support of the United Nations during the twenty years of the country’s independence. From the beginning, UN agencies, notably UNDP and UNICEF, opened offices immediately. Within five years, there were a half a dozen additional UN agencies providing grant aid and technical assistance. By 2011, there are 16 United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes operating in Kyrgyzstan.

In 2005, we launched our first UNDAF defining coherent programmes of action and support for the country into 2010, later extended to include 2011. That first UNDAF projected a total of $61 million in grant assistance would be provided by the UN, the actual figure was $215 million in grant support. This growth of assistance is accompanied by real achievements, most notable, the sharp reduction of poverty from over 62% of the population in poverty in 2000 to 32% in 2009. The reduction in extreme poverty was even more remarkable: from 33% in 2000 to 3% in 2009. These real achievements should be a matter of national pride and are often overlooked, especially when the country has continuing problems such as very high maternal mortality rates that have not declined over the past decade and persistently high levels of under five child mortality rates.

But last year, our attention, indeed, the world’s attention, was riveted by the events as they unfolded here in Kyrgyzstan. These events have created a new set of challenges that go far beyond the traditional development challenges faced by the United Nations in the countries where we work. Last year’s events in April were a tragedy for the families, who lost loved ones, but, at the same time, we see a renewed spirit in the country of civic participation, of citizenship and good governance. The June events were a different and far more tragic occurrence which is still unresolved in terms of accountability for what happened and in terms of reconciliation between aggrieved parties.

Through the political chaos and the violence, United Nations responded on multiple fronts.

• We were part of the Troika of EU, OSCE and United Nations that supported the Interim Government to define and then to rapidly and effectively implement a plan to return the country to constitutional order. It is my personal view that the Interim Government made huge progress in restoring constitutional order, in revising the system of government and in holding the very best elections in the post Soviet era. The major challenges in respect for rights and reconciliation still remain and will take time, energy and investment to address.
  
  
• We mounted a massive humanitarian programme immediately after the April and June events that provided hundreds of thousands of citizens with shelter, with protection support, back to school welcome kits, food assistance, water and sanitation support and community restoration, including agricultural assistance. The UN thanks those major donors who rapidly provided funding for the humanitarian work, as well as our national counterparts who facilitated our response throughout the south.
• But even while we were engaged in the political support to the interim government and in humanitarian response, we never forgot our development roots. Working with key national partners, we formulated a proposal to support peace and reconciliation that was exceptionally approved at the highest levels in NY. Our regular development programmes, after a brief lull, kicked back into high gear in working with civil society and the emerging political leadership, showing real results in even a short time, in areas such as jobs and local development.

To learn the lessons from our crash course in humanitarian assistance, and to figure out how to best help the country back to a path of sustainable human development and good governance, the United Nations Team in Kyrgyzstan took two days in November to reflect. How can we strengthen our support to the country? How can we increase global awareness of the needs and channel support to the country? could we help the country find the most rapid path back to sustainable human development and good governance? This UN Team retreat, followed by extensive consultations with all of our partners, gave us the substance of our proposal for the UNDAF, which defines three major pillars for UN support beginning in 2012:

PILLAR 1: PEACE AND COHESION, EFFECTIVE DEMOCRACTIC GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Outcome 1:

A national infrastructure for peace (at local, regional and national levels) involving government, civil society, communities and individuals effectively prevents violent conflict and engages in peace building.

Outcome 2:

By the end of 2016, the Government of Kyrgyzstan fulfils key recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review, Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures, to ensure better protection of human rights.

Outcome 3:

By 2016, national and local authorities apply rule of law and civic engagement principles in provision of services with active participation of civil society.

PILLAR 2: SOCIAL INCLUSION AND EQUITY

Outcome 1:

By 2016, more poor and vulnerable rural and urban population benefits from improved social protection: increase in food security; equitable access and use of quality sustainable MCH/RH services and level of nutrition; Increased equal access to inclusive and quality education throughout the life cycle; access and usage to quality HIV/TB/STI services; access to quality, integrated and non-discriminatory social protection services and benefits

PILLAR 3: INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FOR POVERTY REDUCTION

Outcome 1:

By the end of 2016, the population, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups, benefits from inclusive growth and improved access to resources, markets, decent and productive employment, and food security

Outcome 2:

By end of 2016 sustainable management of energy, environment and natural resources practices operationalized

Outcome 3:

By 2016, DRM framework in compliance with international standards established and effectively operationalized at national and local levels.

The UNDAF estimates that the UN system will have grant funds for the period of 2012-2016 of $187 million but I am confident we will surpass that target for financial grant aid, based on past performance. I would very much like to wish, for the country, and our national and international partners, a totally successful, collaborative and inspired implementation of the UNDAF with results that will be visible for all citizens of the country.

Finally, as most of you will know, I am leaving for a new assignment in Bangladesh next week. I would like to highlight my personal gratitude to all of you here tonight, and to others who were unable to join us, for a very successful, kind and friendly cooperation over more than four years here in Kyrgyzstan. I take with me many memories, both personal and professional. Above all, I would like to wish prosperity and success to the people of Kyrgyzstan.

Thank you!