In an interview with Diplomatic SOCIETY, H.E. Mr. Zheenbek Kulubaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, speaks about the candidacy of his country for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, Kyrgyzstan’s role in fostering sustainable development and the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit.
Could you inform our readership about the main priorities of the candidacy of the Kyrgyz Republic for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the period 2027-2028?
Kyrgyzstan’s goal is to help build a safer and more prosperous world for future generations. Our main priorities are:
- Promoting peace and preventing weapons of mass destruction:
Kyrgyzstan leads the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and supports global efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. We believe security comes from cooperation and trust, not weapons. - Strengthening trust and cooperation in the UN:
We want to avoid divisions and “bloc mentality” in the Security Council. Instead, we will support dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and mediation to resolve conflicts peacefully. - Supporting stability in Afghanistan:
Regional security depends on peace in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan has provided humanitarian aid to help Afghan people, especially women and children. We also back projects like CASA-1000, which will improve energy and transport links between Central Asia, Afghanistan, and South Asia. - Focusing on sustainable development in the Global South:
We want to raise awareness and support for development in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. Our focus is on economic growth, food and energy security, and tackling climate change. - UN Security Council reform:
We believe the Security Council should better represent developing countries, including those from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, so that smaller nations can have a stronger voice.
Finally, a recent success has been the peaceful resolution of border issues with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Central Asia is showing how regional cooperation and trust can lead to lasting peace. Kyrgyzstan’s candidacy reflects our region’s commitment to contributing to global peace and stability.
In particular, how does the Kyrgyz Republic intend to promote and protect the interests of mountainous, Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries?
The world is facing many serious and interconnected challenges. Small states, developing countries, landlocked nations, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable.
As a mountainous country directly affected by climate change, Kyrgyzstan understands these shared challenges. We will push for stronger global action on climate adaptation, sustainable mountain development, and protecting fragile ecosystems. This includes support for early warning systems, including climate risks in peacebuilding efforts.
For example, the recent Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) helps protect Small Island States, which face rising sea levels and climate change impacts despite producing very little pollution. Kyrgyzstan stands in solidarity with these islands and calls on wealthy countries to provide more funding to fight climate change.
If elected to the Security Council, we will work to make the Council more open and transparent, especially for smaller and vulnerable countries affected by climate issues.
With our experience in Central Asia, a region with complex geopolitics, Kyrgyzstan will bring a unique perspective to the Security Council. We will promote preventive diplomacy and regional cooperation that includes the voices of small and vulnerable countries.
What proposals does the Kyrgyz Republic intend to put forward to enhance the efficiency, fairness, and representativeness of the UN Security Council?
The world must recognize that sustainable development is very important for peace and security. Kyrgyzstan knows that security, development, and humanitarian issues are closely linked. We focus on solving the root causes of conflicts, supporting sustainable development, and helping people affected by crises.
Since becoming independent, Kyrgyzstan has followed a balanced foreign policy based on international law, like the UN Charter. We respect equality of all countries, do not use force, avoid interfering in other countries’ affairs, respect borders, and seek peaceful solutions to conflicts.
Many people criticize the Security Council for not acting quickly on conflicts in places like Palestine, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Haiti, South Sudan, and Mali.
If Kyrgyzstan is chosen, we will work to make the Council more efficient and open, and we want to add more members to better represent different regions.
Since Africa makes up 70% of the Council’s agenda and has 54 countries with a large population and economy, Kyrgyzstan opened an embassy in Ethiopia to build strong ties with African countries and the African Union, where we want to become an observer.
Kyrgyzstan supports Africa’s wish to increase Security Council seats and fix past imbalances. Many countries, including Kyrgyzstan, have never been on the Council, while some have served many times.
We think adding more members will make the Council more inclusive, transparent, and effective.
The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, in collaboration with international partners, hosted the Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development on 24-25 April 2025 in Bishkek. What were its key outcomes?
Kyrgyzstan, a country with many mountains, feels a strong responsibility to support the well-being and development of mountain regions.
This event you mentioned helped countries work together on how to deal with climate change and support sustainable growth in mountain areas.
Kyrgyzstan is carrying out a Five-Year Action Plan (2023–2027) to develop mountain regions. This plan focuses on adapting to climate change, improving the economy, environment, and social conditions of mountain communities, and ensuring people in these areas have access to healthcare, education, and other services. The government is working on this plan at both the national level (with a Roadmap) and the international level (with a Global Action Plan), which were shared at the UN in 2023 and 2024.
Kyrgyzstan also hosted a World Festival of Mountain Youth in August 2025 at Issyk-Kul Lake and in 2027, it plans to hold the Second Global Mountain Summit „Bishkek+25“ to review the results of the Five-Year Plan.
The historic first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit was held in early April in Samarkand, giving additional impetus to relations between both sides. In what fields is the Kyrgyz Republic interested in expanding cooperation with the European Union?
The EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand was a historic event. The EU and Central Asian countries agreed to build a stronger, strategic partnership.
The European Commission announced a big investment plan of 12 billion euros called the Global Gateway program. This program will help improve transport, raw materials, digital technology, and energy cooperation. These areas match Kyrgyzstan’s own development goals until 2026.
One key area for Kyrgyzstan is digitalization. The country is working to modernize public services using digital technology. Joint projects called „Team Europe“ will help reduce the digital gap and support Central Asia’s shift to a digital economy.
Another important area is transport. The EU is helping to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which is an important way to move goods between Europe and Asia. Kyrgyzstan is also focused on completing the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad, which will open access to global markets. We hope the EU will join related infrastructure projects too.
Green energy is also a priority. Kyrgyzstan has lots of hydropower potential, and its biggest project is the Kambarata hydropower plant (HPP-1), which will be the largest in the region.
Kyrgyzstan also sees strong opportunities for cooperation with the EU in education, science, the environment, and regional security.