Min-Kush, Naryn Region, Kyrgyz Republic — May 25, 2026 — From May 21 to 23, representatives of government bodies, international organizations, tourism specialists, civil society organizations, and local communities gathered in the village of Min-Kush for the Tourism Forum ‘Development of Min-Kush Village through Sustainable Tourism – Revival of Forgotten Cities.’ The forum served as a platform for discussing sustainable tourism, local economic development, and new opportunities for communities living near uranium heritage sites in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The event was organized by the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Naryn Region, the Jumgal State Administration, the Min-Kush Ayil Okmotu, and the NGO ‘Destination Min-Kush’ in cooperation with the State Agency for Tourism Development under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic with financial support from the European Union.
The forum was held within the framework of the regional project ‘Engaging Stakeholders in Addressing Uranium Legacy Issues in Central Asia’ (Phase III), jointly implemented by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and UNDP with support from the European Union.
The three-day program included plenary discussions, thematic sessions, site visits, presentations of tourist routes, cultural events, as well as visits to remediated uranium heritage sites and mountain tourism locations in Min-Kush and its surroundings.
‘All activities of this three-day visit were organized to develop the tourism and sports potential of the Min-Kush rural administration. We firmly believe that these initiatives will form the basis for the future prosperity of Min-Kush and help it become one of the modern tourist centers,’ noted Nurbek Satarov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in Naryn Region.
‘Within this partnership, UNDP’s contribution is aimed at supporting local communities living near uranium heritage sites. At the center of our work are people – we strive to expand community participation, support local initiatives, and help residents find practical ways to improve their living conditions and quality of life. One of the important elements of UNDP’s work is grant support for local initiatives. Thanks to this approach, communities, civil society organizations, women, youth, local groups, and small entrepreneurs can propose and implement practical ideas that meet local priorities.’
– Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic
Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic Remy Duflot noted in his opening speech: ‘This forum is a unique opportunity for Min-Kush to demonstrate its tourism potential, relying on natural wealth and the unique history of the settlement associated with uranium heritage. The European Union will continue to support the efforts undertaken by national and local authorities in partnership with the EBRD, OSCE, and UNDP to create better opportunities for the population living near uranium heritage sites in Kyrgyzstan.’
‘We look to the future with optimism and continue to promote new initiatives in support of cities and settlements with uranium heritage. Through strengthening cooperation and efforts in sustainable development, we aim to unlock local potential, create new opportunities, and support communities shaping the future of their cities and villages.’
– Ambassador, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Volker Frobarth.
Founded in 1947 as a settlement for uranium mining, today Min-Kush represents both a complex industrial heritage and new opportunities for sustainable local development. Currently, rehabilitation works are being carried out in the village with the support of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and international partners to eliminate the environmental consequences of uranium mining.
Forum participants discussed how sustainable tourism can contribute to economic diversification, support local entrepreneurship, strengthen sources of income in mountainous areas, preserve cultural and natural heritage, and create new opportunities for women and youth in remote regions.
UNDP also presented its mechanism for grant support of local initiatives in communities located near uranium heritage sites. Through small grants, local civil society organizations, women’s groups, youth initiatives, artisans, and entrepreneurs receive support to implement practical, community-initiated projects aimed at improving living conditions, raising environmental awareness, preserving local heritage, and stimulating local economic activity.
The forum agenda included discussions on the tourism potential of Min-Kush, infrastructure issues, route development, and integration into broader tourism directions of Naryn Region. Participants also explored opportunities related to cultural, industrial, ecological, and adventure tourism.
An important component of the forum was a round table dedicated to strengthening cooperation between settlements located near uranium heritage sites. Participants discussed the creation of an International and National Association of settlements near uranium heritage sites and reviewed founding documents and future cooperation mechanisms.
The forum contributes to the implementation of the Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions for 2023–2027 and supports broader international efforts ahead of the Global Mountain Summit ‘Bishkek+25.’
UNDP confirmed its commitment to continued cooperation with national and local partners, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the European Union, civil society organizations, and local communities to promote inclusive, sustainable, and locally-oriented development in the mountain regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.
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