- Events
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Anti-Terrorism Centre (ATC) of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic jointly organized, on 17–18 September 2026, a national consultation in Issyk-Kul to advance draft legislation on critical infrastructure protection from terrorist threats, before its submission for parliamentary consideration.
Supported by a whole-of-government approach and informed by the practical experience of infrastructure operators, the consultations aimed to review how the draft law on “Critical Infrastructure of the Kyrgyz Republic” would apply across institutions and facilities. Participants reaffirmed the need for the legislation and identified revisions to strengthen its practical application, clarify responsibilities, and align it with existing laws.
The meeting brought together 34 participants representing a total of 22 entities, including national authorities, specialist units, and critical infrastructure operators. Participants represented members of a national inter-agency working group, security and justice institutions, regulatory authorities, local government, as well as operators from the energy, telecommunications, and transport sectors.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Adilet Murataliev, First Deputy Director of the ATC, highlighted the importance of a practical legislative framework: “Critical infrastructure is the foundation of the country’s stable functioning. Energy, transport, communications, finance, water supply, and other sectors must be reliably protected against contemporary threats, including terrorism. Adopting a well-designed law that can be effectively implemented is therefore one of our priorities.”
Over two days, participants conducted an article-by-article review of the draft law, prepared with the Facility’s support. Assisted by the Facility’s legislative drafting and human rights experts, they examined institutional responsibilities, inter-agency coordination, operators’ obligations, risk-based protection measures, and terminology, with attention to human rights and the rule of law.
Discussions also addressed how the proposed framework would interact with existing legislation on strategic assets and sector-specific security requirements. Participants considered ways to avoid duplication, improve information exchange, and ensure that the framework could be applied across different institutions and facilities.
At the end of the consultation, the participants agreed on revisions to propose to the draft law reflecting the comments received and ensuring alignment with existing legislation, as well as on the process for preparating the accompanying legislative amendments and drafting of the implementing regulations.
The consultation marked the concluding activity of a support package delivered to the Kyrgyz Republic on critical infrastructure protection through the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility, a strategic initiative of the European Union and the United Nations implemented by UNOCT and generously funded by the European Union.
In coordination with UNOCT’s Global Programme on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets, the Facility’s support package combined capacity-building, provision of IT equipment, international exchanges, and legislative assistance to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and vulnerable targets from terrorist threats.
UNOCT supported an ATC-led training, a study visit to Germany for exchanges with authorities and infrastructure operators, and the development of an online platform to collect and analyze information relevant to protecting vulnerable targets, with rollout pending adoption of the legislation that will guide data collection.
During the Fourth Counter-Terrorism Week at the United Nations, a side event organized on 2 July 2026 jointly by UNOCT, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, also provided an opportunity to share national experience with Member States and international partners.
