EU DELEGATION Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, the EU is working collectively on two regional Team Europe Initiatives under the Global Gateway: “Digital connectivity” and “Water, Energy and Climate Change”. In addition, the EU is also bilaterally supporting “Education” as a priority sector.

Team Europe Initiative “Digital connectivity”:

The Global Gateway Initiative on “Digital connectivity” brings together the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), with EU Member States (including Estonia, Finland and Latvia). It aims to enhance Central Asian businesses and citizens' access to a secure internet through trusted satellite connectivity. As a part of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan will host the implementation of this regional initiative. In Kyrgyzstan, along with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, Earth stations with integrated Internet Exchange Points and Green Data Centres will be deployed, connecting to the existing broadband infrastructure. As follows, it will reduce digital divides in the region and promote inclusive, last-mile digital services, as well as promote reforms in digital governance, including in the telecoms sector, personal data protection, cybersecurity, and respect of human rights. These efforts will also contribute to the development of the regional digital economy, secure the connection between Europe and Central Asia, and bring broader economic benefits to Kyrgyzstan along with other Central Asian countries.

Team Europe Initiative “Water, Energy and Climate Change”:

The Team Europe Initiative on "Water, Energy, and Climate Change" seeks to promote sustainable management of water and energy resources, address environmental challenges, and tackle climate change across five Central Asian countries. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative includes infrastructure projects focused on water supply, sanitation, waste management, and hydropower. It prioritizes the development of an integrated regional power market, transboundary water governance, and integrating climate change into regional political discussions on water, energy, and the environment. Implementation will also take place in Kyrgyzstan, as part of the broader Central Asian region. The EU, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will collaborate on this initiative in the region, with an initial contribution of €700 million, including 200 million from the EU budget.

Additional Bilateral Global Gateway Priority “Education”

Via the Additional Bilateral Global Gateway Priority “Education”, the EU aims to expand quality education in Kyrgyzstan, paying attention to the inclusion of vulnerable groups and eradicating gender biases in teaching and learning materials. Additionally, this Priority strives to increase the quantity of teachers and students proficient in digital skills and media literacy, as well as to expand integrated and improved quality of teaching and learning in green transition and sustainability. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, it promotes development of institutional capacity in Kyrgyzstan, integration of the 21st century skills, elimination of gender-blindness in new materials and inclusive education system for marginalised groups such as disabled children and minorities.