Women Leaders Gather in Bishkek to Address Peace and Security Challenges in Central Asia and Afghanistan 

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On October 3-4, 2024, the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Dialogue will host its annual Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Forum in Bishkek. This year’s forum, titled "Women, Peace, and Security: Strengthening Stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan," brings together a diverse group of regional leaders, parliamentarians, government officials, international and non-governmental organizations, and academic and expert communities from Central Asian countries.  

With growing instability due to climate change, water shortages, and political tension, the forum highlights the essential role women must play in peacebuilding and decision-making. Amid the growing impacts of climate change, water shortage, and other challenges, the forum underscores the critical role of women in peacebuilding and decision-making processes, reaffirming their essential contributions to achieving sustainable peace and security. 

The forum is organized by the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic (Zhogorku Kenesh), UN Women in Kyrgyzstan, UN Women in Afghanistan, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The 2024 WPS Forum comes at a critical time. Central Asia is at the frontline of climate-related challenges that threaten to destabilize already fragile communities. Climate change is not a distant threat here —it’s a daily reality. According to the World Bank, natural disasters in Central Asia cost the region around 10 billion US dollars annually, affecting an estimated three million people each year. The accelerated melting of glaciers, especially in the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains, has caused significant water shortages, while droughts and floods are becoming more frequent, creating a direct impact on food security and livelihoods. 

Women’s inclusion in decision-making processes is crucial as women in Central Asia still make up less than 30% of participants in national and global climate negotiations. One in five people in Central Asia rely on agriculture for their livelihood. According to official statistics, the proportion of women in leadership and management positions in the field of ecology and natural resources in Kyrgyzstan from 2018 to 2022 did not exceed 15%. By 2050, Kazakhstan could see a 50% drop in wheat yields due to climate change, disproportionately affecting women farmers. And as water becomes scarcer, millions of women and girls are forced to travel longer distances to collect water, exposing them to a greater risk of gender-based violence. 

Building on the success of last year’s event, the 2024 WPS Forum will focus on empowering women to take charge in addressing regional issues, especially the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. The forum will discuss innovative, gender-sensitive approaches to transboundary water management and diplomacy, ensuring women’s voices are included in these critical conversations. The forum also will identify strategies to strengthen ties between Afghan and Central Asian women, building joint solutions for peace and security. 

The two-day forum will feature expert discussions on October 3, followed by high-level talks among parliamentary leaders from Central Asia on October 4. Participants will share insights and recommendations to inform regional political dialogues and multilateral platforms. These discussions will help shape a unified position on women’s involvement in peace and security, which will be presented at upcoming regional platforms. 

Ultimately, the 2024 WPS Forum aims to turn discussions into actions. By amplifying women’s voices and ensuring their inclusion in peace and climate negotiations, Central Asia can take steps toward a more peaceful, resilient future.  

For more information, please contact Communications Analyst, UN Women Europe and Central Asia, Gulnaz Anisio De Oliveira. E-mail: [ Click to reveal ]