Bishkek, Oct. 16, 2025. /Kabar/. The 11th Annual Life in Kyrgyzstan (LiK) Conference brought together leading researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and institutions from Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and beyond. The event was jointly organised by the University of Central Asia (UCA), the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ, Germany), and ISDC - International Security and Development Centre (Germany), with support from partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), American University of Central Asia (AUCA), UNFPA and the World Bank.
Building on the strong foundation of ten previous gatherings, this year’s conference highlighted how robust longitudinal data from the Life in Kyrgyzstan (LiK) Study can inform policies, guide development strategies, and strengthen research capacity across sectors. Participants discussed socio-economic challenges and opportunities facing Kyrgyzstan, focusing on themes such as climate resilience, migration, gender, rural transformation, agriculture, food security, urbanisation and institutional change.
“The LiK Study is unique because it traces the realities of Kyrgyz society over a period of 16 years, and counting. The data measures trends from migration to traditional practices, aspects that extend beyond economics but are essential to understanding everyday life,” said Dr Damir Esenaliev (IGZ/ISDC). “This makes it an invaluable source of long-term data for both researchers and policymakers.”
As a key co-organiser, UCA’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) played an active role in coordinating sessions and facilitating dialogue among researchers and policymakers. The LiK Conference continued the tradition of bridging research and policy, ensuring that LiK data remains accessible and relevant to academics, government agencies, civil society, and development partners.
“This conference exemplifies UCA’s mission to generate locally grounded and globally relevant research,” said Professor Eran Edirisinghe, Dean of Research at UCA. “It is a space where data meets dialogue, and where evidence informs action for the benefit of Kyrgyzstan and the wider region.”
Building on the success of the 10th LiK Conference, which underscored the importance of evidence-based policymaking, the 2025 edition further strengthened collaboration among data users and research institutions. Covering over 8,000 individuals and 3,000 households since 2010, the LiK Survey remains the most comprehensive longitudinal dataset in Central Asia.
The LiK Conference concluded with a shared commitment to advancing evidence-based research and applying data-driven insights to policy and practice. It reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation between researchers, institutions, and decision-makers to promote inclusive and sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan and across Central Asia.
