Sadyr Japarov: Kyrgyzstan to abolish regions and districts, creating 20 districts

President Sadyr Japarov has unveiled ambitious plans for the second phase of Kyrgyzstan's administrative reform, signaling a significant overhaul of the country's governance structure. The initiative aims to abolish the existing oblasts (regions) and rayons (districts), consolidating them into 20 new districts. This move, according to the President, is designed to simplify administration and improve efficiency across the nation.

The reform process will commence with a pilot project, where a single district will be established and operated for a trial period of two to three years. The primary objective of this pilot is to evaluate the new district's ability to become self-sufficient and reduce its reliance on national subsidies. If successful, this model will be replicated nationwide, leading to the complete dissolution of the current regional and district boundaries.

This administrative restructuring is a bold step, reflecting a desire to streamline governance and potentially foster greater local autonomy and economic viability. The first phase of the reform, which has already seen the number of rural administrative units (aiyl aimaks) halved from 452 to 231 over two years, indicates a clear commitment to modernization and efficiency.

From a Kyrgyz perspective, this reform is not merely about administrative convenience; it represents a fundamental rethinking of how the country is governed and how resources are managed. The success of the pilot project will be closely watched, as it holds the promise of a more effective and potentially more decentralized system. The focus on financial independence for the new districts is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a long-term vision for strengthening regional economies and reducing the burden on the central government. This initiative underscores Kyrgyzstan's ongoing efforts to adapt and evolve its state apparatus to meet contemporary challenges.