Launch of the “Advancing Public Finance Management Reforms for Sustainable Development Goals' Project

Launch of the "Advancing Public Finance Management Reforms for Sustainable Development Goals" Project

Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic of the Kyrgyz Republic, the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched a new project aimed at enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of public finance management (PFM) to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project, "Advancing Public Finance Management Reforms for Sustainable Development Goals Achievement in Kyrgyzstan," is funded by the European Union with a contribution of over 1.1 million USD. It will be implemented by UNDP in close partnership with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry.

The initiative will introduce the best international practices and digital solutions to strengthen the country's budgeting processes. Key focus areas include institutionalizing programme-based and gender-responsive budgeting, establishing a modern Public Investment Management (PIM) system to ensure value for money from infrastructure projects, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms for the critical water sector.

At the launch event, Nurbek Akjolov, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, stated: "This project directly aligns with our national reform agenda. Enhancing our public finance system is central to achieving our National Development Strategy 2040 and delivering better results and improved public services for our citizens. We are fully committed to leading this initiative and thank the EU and UNDP for their steadfast support."

H.E. Rémi Duflot, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted the project's strategic importance: "Public finance management can appear technical, however at heart it is about trust-ensuring that public resources are managed transparently and used effectively to improve people's lives. This EU-funded programme is an important step toward strengthening that trust by supporting more efficient, accountable, and inclusive financial governance in Kyrgyzstan. Together with our partners, we are confident it will contribute to meaningful reforms and help advance sustainable development for all".

Speaking on behalf of the UN system, Antje Grawe, UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized the project's alignment with collective development efforts. "The project will provide technical assistance, capacity building for over 300 civil servants, and support the development of a next-generation PFM Development Strategy, ensuring reforms are strategic and sustainable.

"This project builds upon years of collaborative work in strengthening Kyrgyzstan's financing architecture," said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative. "Our role is to bring global expertise in digitalization, climate finance, and inclusive budgeting, adapting it to the national context. We are committed to ensuring this project delivers tangible results that strengthen resilience, particularly for women and vulnerable communities."

By linking public spending more closely to national results, the project will serve as a direct accelerator for key SDGs, including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).