Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek visits Batken province
Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) Alexey Rogov visited the Batken province, Kyrgyzstan from 26 to 29 July 2021. He met with local partners to learn firsthand about their development priorities and needs, and discuss key areas of co-operation.
During the visit, Rogov met with Abdikarim Alimbaev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government in Batken, Mamyrjan Rahimov, Special Representative of the President for Reconstruction and Development of Border Villages in Batken province, and heads of local authorities of Batken and Leilek districts in the Batken province, among other partners. They discussed the OSCE Programme Office’s programmatic activities in the Batken province, including activities aimed at confidence-building in border communities, support to local entrepreneurs, combating transnational threats and efforts on emergency response and disaster risk reduction.
During a meeting with Murat Boronov, Head of the Batken Province Police Department, they discussed the work of the local Mobile Police Receptions (MPR), within the framework of community policing efforts in remote areas. The MPRs have been working across Kyrgyzstan since 2011 with the OSCE’s continuous support, and have shown their added-value during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his meeting with Kiyalbek Tolonbaev, Head of the Batken Regional Border Department of the State Border Service under the State Committee for National Security, Rogov discussed the Programme Office’s support in confidence-building activities, including supporting meetings of border delegates and organizing football tournaments between border guards from Kyrgyzstan and neighbouring countries.
During a meeting with Orozbek Pazylov, Head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) Department in Batken province, they talked about the effects of climate change on security and explored joint priorities for the OSCE Programme Office’s future support in the field of disaster risk reduction.
Rogov also met with representatives of civil society, namely members of Women Initiative Groups supported by the POiB since 2011, and NGO “Ensand Diamond”.
Rogov also visited the Entrepreneurship Support Centre in Batken city and businesses of four women entrepreneurs in the Batken and Leilek districts. The entrepreneurs received OSCE support in grants, helping launch their businesses, and in developing business plans.
In the Leilek district, Rogov met with Abdirashid Tashbaltaev, the District’s Deputy Head, and discussed the Programme Office’s assistance to one of the country’s most remote districts in promoting sustainable development.
During his meetings Rogov expressed the Programme Office’s readiness to continue supporting activities in the Batken province within the Programme Office’s mandate, and in line with Kyrgyzstan’s priorities and OSCE commitments.