Kyrgyzstan hosts Issyk-Kul Forum, signs key decrees, and addresses e-scooter safety

Kyrgyzstan is currently hosting the 24th Issyk-Kul Forum, an annual event running from June 18 to 21. This year's forum centers on the theme "Peace at the Civilizational Turning Point: Together into the Future," bringing together a diverse group of participants including representatives from international organizations, the academic community, cultural figures, and state structures.

Notably, the first president of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev, is attending the forum, despite his name not appearing on earlier official participant lists. Akayev expressed his view that the current President, Sadyr Japarov, should be given additional time in office. The forum also coincides with the first official visit of the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, to Kyrgyzstan, during which the leaders held negotiations and their spouses attended a cultural program.

President Japarov has been active, signing several significant decrees. These include changes to the procedures for considering citizenship applications, a moratorium on inspections for businesses, measures to attract investment in renewable energy, and steps to ensure the country's energy security. Concurrently, the Cabinet of Ministers has revised regulations concerning the appointment and recalculation of pensions, transitions between different pension types, and the payment of funeral grants.

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Peace at the Civilizational Turning Point: Together into the Future

Legislative initiatives are also underway, with members of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) proposing a bill to allow parents to assign double surnames to their children upon birth registration. In a separate development, social media has seen the spread of interrogation videos related to the "Letter of 75" case, currently being heard in the Pervomaysky District Court of Bishkek. The speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, Marlen Mamataliev, detailed the investigation, suggesting the letter's submission to parliament was pre-planned.

In other news, Eduard Kubatov, director of the State Agency for Tourism Development, announced plans for the UIM F1H2O World Championship (Formula 1 powerboat racing) to be held on Issyk-Kul Lake. Over 10,000 attendees are expected, with an allocated budget of $5 million, and the event is planned to become an annual fixture. Additionally, Vice Mayor Ramiz Aliyev reported a fourfold decrease in e-scooter-related injuries in Bishkek following the city's decision to reduce the maximum speed limit from 25 to 15 kilometers per hour, citing a rise in pedestrian accidents and a lack of dedicated infrastructure.

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current head of state Sadyr Zhaparov needs to be given additional time as president.