Kyrgyzstan to Build New Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Naryn

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) continues its robust support for Kyrgyzstan's infrastructure development, with a new wastewater treatment plant set to begin construction in Naryn in June 2026. This $8.5 million project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry and the EBRD, underscores a shared commitment to improving living standards and environmental sustainability in the region.

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The implementation of the project will provide a centralized sewage system for about 20,000 residents of the city of Naryn.

This initiative will provide a centralized sewage system for approximately 20,000 residents of Naryn, a significant step towards enhancing the sanitary-epidemiological situation and reducing the discharge of polluted wastewater into the Naryn River. Furthermore, the project is designed to bolster the city's urban infrastructure against the impacts of climate change, aligning with global sustainability goals.

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It is expected that the launch of the facility will significantly improve the sanitary-epidemiological situation in the region, reduce the volume of polluted wastewater discharge into the Naryn River, and also increase the overall resilience of urban infrastructure to climate change.

The EBRD's engagement in Kyrgyzstan extends beyond this single project, with a total portfolio exceeding 1 billion euros since the country's independence. The bank's active involvement in 33 projects across all seven regions, particularly in water supply, irrigation, and transport sectors, highlights its dedication to the nation's economic and social progress. The bank's representative, Ayten Rustamova, emphasized the particular importance of water projects for women, who disproportionately bear the burden of water scarcity in household management.

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Over the years of Kyrgyzstan's independence, the total portfolio of EBRD projects has exceeded 1 billion euros, covering about 300 projects in all sectors of the economy.

Minister Erlist Akunbekov expressed gratitude for the EBRD's consistent support, citing successful infrastructure restoration projects in Jalal-Abad and Kara-Balta as testaments to their effective partnership. While past funding for Naryn's water systems has been substantial, the current discussion also touches upon the financial challenges faced by the municipality in repaying previous loans, indicating a need for careful financial planning alongside infrastructure investment.

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For me as a woman, water projects have special significance, as it is women who suffer first from the lack of access to clean water due to household chores.