Bishkek, Jan. 29, 2026. /Kabar/. On 5–6 February 2026, Bishkek hosted the 6th EU–Central Asia Civil Society Forum, bringing together more than 200 representatives of civil society organisations, youth platforms, European Union institutions, UN agencies, governments, and international partners, the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic reported.
The Forum is a flagship regional platform initiated and supported by the European Union to strengthen structured dialogue between the EU and civil society in Central Asia. It takes place within the framework of the EU Civil Society Facility in Central Asia project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Danish Institute of Human Rights.
In her welcoming speech, Saira Yzakova emphasized the important role of civil society: “Dialogue is the foundation of sustainable development and a key mechanism for interaction between the state, civil society, and international partners. Civil society and government bodies are often perceived as different sides of the same process, but we are partners united by a shared responsibility for the future of our countries and the well-being of our citizens.”
“Research consistently shows that a strong civil society is one of the cornerstones of the resilience and prosperity of nations. It is the ongoing engagement of active citizens that transforms simple common spaces into genuine communities. The EU is proud to support and empower initiatives aimed at strengthening civil society,” noted Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia.
‘’We attach great importance to providing a platform where civil society organisations and other civil society actors from Central Asia can freely exchange ideas and share their visions for the region’s future development. Beyond policy frameworks and cooperation mechanisms, our strategic partnership with Central Asia is fundamentally about people, open dialogue, and building shared futures. The EU has recently awarded EUR 5 million in grants to five important Civil Society initiatives to support human rights and contributions to development of the Kyrgyz Republic.” - says Rémi Duflot, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic.
In her opening remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, Antje Grawe, noted: “Where civic space is open, innovation thrives, marginalized voices are heard, and public trust grows. Where it is constrained, progress across the Sustainable Development Goals weakens.”
Under the theme “Driving the Global Gateway Agenda through Civic Engagement,” the 2026 Forum focuses on translating dialogue into concrete regional initiatives aligned with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy and its long-term partnership with Central Asia in promoting sustainable development, youth participation, and inclusive governance.
Participants will work through five regional Thematic Working Groups addressing:
a) Digital transition and transformation
b) Climate change and environmental protection
c) Governance, social and responsible business
d) Women’s empowerment
e) Youth engagement in policy and decision-making
The Forum consolidates a regional agenda developed by Thematic Working Groups and Youth Sounding Boards, which will be further promoted in the framework of EU cooperation with Central Asia and contribute to policy dialogue and programming across the region.
In addition to high-level plenary discussions, the Forum includes practical capacity-building sessions supporting civil society organisations in accessing EU funding opportunities, strengthening their institutional capacities, and reinforcing their role as partners in policy design and implementation.
By fostering inclusive dialogue, people-to-people connectivity, and cross-border cooperation, the Forum reflects the European Union’s commitment to supporting civil society as a key partner in democratic governance, sustainable development, and regional resilience in Central Asia.
