12th Annual Life in Kyrgyzstan Conference
07-08 October 2026
This year will mark the 12th anniversary of the series of ‘Life in Kyrgyzstan’ Conferences held in Bishkek!
This year’s conference will once again be convened by the University of Central Asia’s (UCA) Institute of Public Policy and Administration, the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), and ISDC – International Security and Development Center, with the support of the American University Central Asia (AUCA), Alatoo International University (AIU), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Bank.
We are therefore pleased to invite you to submit papers or propose entire sessions for the 12th Annual ‘Life in Kyrgyzstan’ (LiK) Conference to be held in Orion Hotel in Bishkek on 07-08 October 2026. In addition to keynote speeches and two days of thematic panel sessions, the conference includes an academic seminar, a LiK data users’ workshop, professional and academic networking opportunities, and a conference reception.
This year’s keynote speakers are Dr. Olga Popova, Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS), and Dr. Damir Esenaliev, IGZ and ISDC.
The Life in Kyrgyzstan Conference brings together national and international experts from academia, government, development agencies, non-governmental organizations, media and research institutions. The annual 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.
While in-person participation is preferred, particularly for those presenting, the conference will be held in hybrid mode to allow online participation. The languages of the conference are English and Russian and simultaneous translation will be provided. There is no conference fee. We regret that we are unable to offer funding to cover travel or other costs incurred in attending the conference.
The academic committee comprises of Prof. Kathryn Anderson (Vanderbilt University), Aibek Ashirov (World Bank), Prof. Tilman Brück (IGZ/HU/ISDC), Dr. Ablay Dosmaganbetov (UCA), Dr. Damir Esenaliev (IGZ/ISDC), Dr. Baktybek Kainazarov (UNFPA), Dr. Aizharkyn Kozhobekova (AIU), Dr. Kanat Tilekeyev (UCA), and Dr. Nurgul Tilenbaeva (AUCA).
The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026. To submit your paper or session proposal, please use this email address: likconf@gmail.com. The acceptance decisions will be communicated by end of July 2026.
Note: Further information regarding the academic seminar and data users workshop will be provided in future announcements.
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. 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 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 involves publications in high-ranking scientific journals and acquisition of competitive grants. For more information visit: http://www.igzev.de/.
ISDC – International Security and Development Center is a non-profit academic institute based in Berlin, Germany. It conducts research to improve lives 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, 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. 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
Ala-Too International University (AIU) is one of the leading international universities in Central Asia. Established in 1996, the University is recognized for its excellence in teaching and research. Its mission is to educate well-rounded professionals equipped with relevant knowledge, strong critical thinking skills, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments. AIU comprises five faculties, 22 departments, one professional college offering six academic programs, 10 master’s programs, and five doctoral programs, serving over 4,600 students. The University’s two research centers and academic journals actively contribute to regional and national research development. For more information on AIU, please visit: https://alatoo.edu.kg.
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. For more information visit https://kyrgyzstan.unfpa.org/en
The World Bank is an international organization dedicated to providing financing, advice, and research to developing nations to aid their economic advancement. 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 visit https://www.worldbank.org.
