Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Bishkek today for the inauguration of the new President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambaev.
During the visit, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with President Atambaev, as well as former President Roza Otunbaeva, to discuss the Aga Khan Development Network's partnership with the country. Current AKDN initiatives in Kyrgyzstan support the development of human resources, creating economic opportunities and enhancing regional stability. The meetings also focused on the Network's growing presence in Kyrgyzstan's high-quality education sector and the development of critical infrastructure. Hazar Imam also met with Speaker Ahmatbek Keldibekov.
Mawlana Hazar Imam's visit reinforces AKDN's commitment to helping Kyrgyzstan's mountain communities overcome challenges of poverty, isolation and vulnerability. The Network's decade-long involvement in the country has seen it engage in issues ranging from early childhood development to university and adult education, and from micro-credit to banking and financial services. AKDN also supports tradition-bearers in music and oral recitation, builds capacity among civil society institutions, and contributes to tourism and infrastructure development in the country.
