Bishkek, Feb. 5, 2026 /Kabar/. UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic and the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR) are advancing the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into the country’s financial system as part of efforts to strengthen long-term financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
Over the past decade, ESG integration has become a global priority for central banks and financial regulators, as environmental and climate risks, social inclusion, and governance standards increasingly influence financial resilience and economic performance.
For Kyrgyzstan, ESG considerations are of particular importance due to the country’s vulnerability to climate change, natural disasters, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. These factors pose growing risks to livelihoods, food security, and macroeconomic stability. As a small and open economy, Kyrgyzstan is also sensitive to global market trends and international standards in sustainable finance.
Against this background, the NBKR, with technical support from UNDP, has developed and approved a comprehensive Roadmap for integrating ESG principles into the Bank’s policies and internal operations. The roadmap is designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of the central bank while promoting sustainable finance across the national financial system.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of the financial system,” said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic. She noted that UNDP’s support to the National Bank forms part of broader efforts to advance sustainable finance, environmental resilience, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The NBKR plays a dual role in this process: ensuring financial and monetary stability through regulation and supervision of the banking sector, while also setting an example through its own governance and operational practices.
Zhyldyz Sulaimanbekova, Member of the NBKR Management Board, emphasized that the ESG roadmap provides a clear strategic direction for institutionalizing ESG principles and enhancing the National Bank’s leadership role in promoting sustainable finance nationwide.
The initiative is implemented under UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) with financial support from the European Union.