Call for Registration 11th ‘Life in Kyrgyzstan’ Conference

October 10-11, 2025 

The Institute of Public Policy and Administration of the University of Central Asia (UCA), the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), and International Security and Development Center (ISDC) invite you to register for participation in the 11th Annual ‘Life in Kyrgyzstan’ (LiK) Conference, which will be held at the Orion Hotel in Bishkek on October 10–11, 2025. The conference will feature thematic sessions as well as presentations of individual research papers addressing various aspects of life in Kyrgyzstan. 

The event is organised with the support of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), the World Bank, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

This year’s keynote speakers are Professor Kathleen Hermans from the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Germany and Dr Asel Doolotkeldieva from Potsdam University.  

Furthermore, this year the conference will be complemented by a LiK Data Users Workshop and the Academic Workshop, scheduled for 8–9 October 2025.  

The Life in Kyrgyzstan Conference is an established annual event convened each October in Bishkek. It brings together national and international experts from academia, government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, media and research institutions. The LiK Conference serves as a platform for exchanging leading-edge knowledge and experiences on recent socio-economic and environmental developments in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, with the aim of promoting evidence-based policy making. 

The conference will be held in a hybrid mode to allow both in-person and online participation though preference will be given to in-person presentation of papers and sessions. The languages of the conference are English and Russian. Simultaneous translation will be provided.  

Please fill out your application by October 3, 2025 following this link: https://forms.office.com/r/7qKBZzJHvv. Participation in the conference is free of charge. For further information on the Life in Kyrgyzstan Study, please see www.lifeinkyrgyzstan.org or send a message to likconf@gmail.com.  

Organising Institutions 

University of Central Asia’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration was established in 2011 to strengthen public policy in Central Asia. It provides in-depth analysis on current and emerging policy issues facing the region, and improves the analytical capacity of governments and civil society to use evidence in decision-making processes through professional development. The Institute produces analytical policy papers, policy briefs and peer-reviewed research papers on social and economic issues, public administration and public policy relating to Central Asia and Afghanistan. For more information on IPPA, please visit: http://ucentralasia.org/ippa 

IGZ - Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops carries out basic and applied research supporting the sustainable production of vegetable and ornamental plants and the rational use of natural resources. It contributes to understanding fundamentals of horticultural and plant science, sustainability in production and use of plants, healthy nutrition and wellbeing of the population. Its work is rated by acceptance and appreciation by professionals in practical horticulture and by the society, publications in high-ranking scientific journals and acquisition of competitive grants. For more information on IGZ, please visit: http://www.igzev.de/. 

ISDC - International Security and Development Center is a non-profit academic institute based in Berlin, Germany. We conduct research to improve lives and livelihoods shaped by violent conflict, fragility and humanitarian emergencies, providing policy advice and building capacity on international security and socio-economic development. We are unique in the global research scene for being dedicated to work exclusively on the security-development nexus. For more information on ISDC, please visit: https://isdc.org/.  

Partner Institutions 

American University of Central Asia (AUCA) is a multi-disciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition with the mission of developing enlightened and impassioned leaders for the transformation of Central Asia. AUCA is the first university in Central Asia to offer US accredited degrees in liberal arts programs through a partnership with Bard College in the United States. With a current enrolment of approximately 1,500 students from over 25 countries, AUCA offers students a quality education based on an American college model with a credit-hours system, a liberal arts curriculum, and a commitment to freedom of expression and inquiry. The University offers 14 undergraduate educational programs and 9 graduate programs. For more information on AUCA, please visit https://www.auca.kg/ 

The World Bank is an international organization dedicated to providing financing, advice, and research to developing nations to aid their economic advancement. By giving loans, and offering advice and training in both the private and public sectors, the World Bank aims to eliminate poverty by helping people help themselves. Since the Kyrgyz Republic joined the World Bank in 1992, the Bank’s financial assistance has amounted to over US$2,024 million. The World Bank support has helped the country to maintain macroeconomic stability, invest in strategic infrastructure, and improve access to social services. For more information on the World Bank, please visit https://www.worldbank.org.  

UNFPA is the United Nations agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health. Its core mission is to foster a world where every pregnancy is desired, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is realized. Since 1992, UNFPA has been actively involved in the Kyrgyz Republic, supporting the population and housing censuses, provision of reproductive health supplies, and the enhancement of national capabilities in integrated sexual and reproductive health services, as well as youth-friendly health services. Additionally, UNFPA has contributed to policy development in areas concerning youth, gender equality, and facilitated data collection and analysis. For more information on UNFPA, please visit https://kyrgyzstan.unfpa.org/en  

Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region. For more information on UNFPA, please visit https://www.adb.org/