From gallop to quarry

In late August and early September, Kyrgyzstan is preparing to become a center of global diplomacy, and Sadyr Japarov will host the largest international event in the country's history. The 6th World Nomad Games will open in Bishkek on August 31, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit will take place on September 1. Heads of state from 21 countries are expected to attend. Chinese President Xi Jinping will combine his participation in the summit with a state visit. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been specially invited.

Unprecedented security measures have been taken in the country. Adilet Orozbekov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, stated that the upcoming events are unprecedented in Kyrgyzstan's history in terms of their status, scale, and number of distinguished guests. Government agencies have been instructed to ensure anti-terrorism, public, and road safety, strengthen sanitary and epidemiological monitoring, and enhance the readiness of emergency services.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs must inform residents in advance of temporary traffic restrictions on certain streets and highways. Restrictions will also affect the operation of retail outlets, markets, and Manas Airport, which will be open during peak hours to accommodate high-ranking delegations. Bishkek residents have been advised to leave the city if possible during the summit.

It's not just the services that are preparing for the summit. Pioneer Peak in Ala-Archa Nature Park has been officially renamed SCO Peak. And the new Yrys-Ordo State Congress Hall will become the main venue for international diplomacy. At its opening on August 24, President Sadyr Japarov called the building a new symbol of modern Kyrgyzstan, its growing potential, and aspirations for the future.

The head of state's speech at the ceremony was, in places, reminiscent of a campaign speech. Japarov spoke of national unity as the foundation of prosperity and development. He called on young people not to repeat the mistakes of the past, not to divide into north and south, but to build a "new Kyrgyzstan" together. "The new Kyrgyzstan that we are building does not belong to one person or one government—it belongs to all of us, to all the people, to our entire country! "Let's build a prosperous country together, with strong unity, high spirit, and faith in a bright future!" emphasized Sadyr Japarov.

According to the president, the republic is already capable of independently implementing major infrastructure and social projects, relying on its own strengths and resources. Examples of this include the new Yrys-Ordo congress hall and the new Azattyk Arena, the largest stadium in Central Asia.

"I would like to take this opportunity to give general advice to the youth. Gathered in this hall are 100% of those 'great ones' who, over the 35 years of independence, declared: 'I am a politician,' 'I will truly lift the country,' 'I am strong,'" Japarov said. He also noted that throughout the country's 35 years of independence, these people "argued with each other over trivial matters, engaged in demagoguery, raised populist cries, and divided into north and south." "But ultimately, our country has failed to achieve significant prosperity," Japarov emphasized. He advised young people to learn from the older generation but avoid repeating their mistakes. He called building a prosperous country a shared responsibility for the entire nation, not just one person or one government.

The president also called on citizens to give the SCO summit and the World Nomad Games a worthy reception, and to show the world the hospitality, ancient culture, and rich traditions of the Kyrgyz people.

The ceremony, however, was not without political overtones. Social media users discussed the presence in the congress hall of former Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu and former Prosecutor General Kurmankul Zulushev, defendants in the "Letter of 75" case, accused of attempting a coup d'état and receiving prison sentences commuted to probation. Kamchibek Tashiev, the former head of the State Committee for National Security and also on probation, was invited to the opening ceremony but did not attend. People are asking whether these former officials are "great" or criminals.

According to Kyrgyz political scientist Asilbek Egemberdiev, it was no coincidence that Japarov spoke of national unity. "Rumors of large-scale corruption and millions of dollars siphoned off during the nationalization of Kumtor are being discussed in society. Concerns are also growing over the increasing Chinese economic and social presence. Some citizens fear the long-term transfer of land to Chinese citizens, the harm to local residents from the exploitation of natural resources, and increased competition in the labor market," Egemberdiev said.

However, Sadyr Japarov previously personally denied rumors of land sales, stating that not a single centimeter of land would be transferred to foreigners. Authorities believe that anti-Chinese sentiment is being artificially fueled by domestic opponents and third parties interested in destabilizing the republic. Law enforcement agencies are bringing cases against activists for disseminating false information that incites xenophobia or discredits the government.

According to Egemberdiev, domestic opposition to Sadyr Japarov is forming in the republic; critics who have traveled abroad are also active on social media. The upcoming presidential campaign, despite the head of state's confidence in his victory, could yield surprises.

"Therefore, the call for unity is addressed to both external and domestic audiences. By hosting the leaders of the largest Eurasian powers, Japarov is demonstrating the international weight and governance capacity of his government. However, such a scale inevitably draws attention to issues that the government would prefer to leave behind the festive atmosphere," Egemberdiev believes.

The main meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council will be held on September 1. The leaders of 10 countries will gather around one table: Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The main document of the summit will be the Bishkek Declaration of the 25th Anniversary.