Activities of Secretary-General in Kyrgyzstan, 10-11 June
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived late in the evening on Wednesday, 10 June, in Kyrgyzstan, the third stop in his five-country visit to Central Asia.
His first engagement on Thursday, 11 June, was a meeting with President Almazbek Atambaev.
The Secretary-General then attended the opening of the International Conference on “Development of Parliamentarianism”.
He told participants that, despite the enormous challenge of creating a sustainable parliamentary system in a country recovering from conflict, Kyrgyzstan has achieved much progress, including the adoption of a progressive Constitution with clear separation of powers, guarantees of fundamental human rights and respect for the rule of law. (See Press Release SG/SM/16836.)
Speaking to reporters together with President Atambaev, the Secretary-General said that since his last visit to the country in 2010, a time of high tension, Kyrgyzstan has made great progress. He also stressed the pivotal role of civil society, independent media and human rights defenders.
He also met with the Speaker of Parliament, Asilbek Jeenbekov, and with female members of Parliament.
He then met with United Nations staff working in the country.
The Secretary-General also visited the city of Osh, together with Prime Minister Temir Sariev.
Together, they spoke to the press at a wreath-laying ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the tragic events in Kyrgyzstan.
The Secretary-General acknowledged the efforts of Kyrgyz authorities to tackle the many challenges. But, foremost in his mind, he said, were his deepest feelings of regret and solidarity for the victims and their relatives, in particular women and children, still waiting for justice.
In Osh, he also met with civil society representatives and local authorities. The number of registered civil society organizations in the country runs into the thousands, he said, noting that this was a healthy sign, setting Kyrgyzstan apart, and speaking to the openness and democratic space of the country. (See Press Release SG/SM/16837.)
The Secretary-General and Madam Ban attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Sariev before departing for Uzbekistan.