The OSCE supports opening of Capacity Development Centre

Representatives of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CEC), the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Embassy to Kyrgyzstan participated in the opening ceremony of the Capacity Development Centre for the State Registration Services under the Government (SRS) in Bishkek on 14 June 2018.

The Centre will be a venue for conducting professional training sessions for SRS and CEC personnel during preparations for elections, as well as focused sessions for SRS specialists that provide public services, use of IT and digitalization processes in their work.

During the 2015–2017 electoral cycle, with the support of the OSCE Programme office in Bishkek and the UNDP, the SRS introduced new technologies, which required special training of the staff. More than 13,000 SRS/CEC experts were trained in use of the new ICT equipment as well as in the efficient organization of elections, the appropriate delivery of information and effective electoral disputes resolution mechanisms. This co-operative work led to the opening of the Capacity Development Centre.

“The need for having such a training centre is still urgent, as skills and knowledge should be updated regularly to remain in step with new technologies and innovations,” emphasized Daniyar Bakchiev, the State Secretary of the SRS.

“Change is the driver of progress and today the SRS is demonstrating that change is already taking place in Kyrgyzstan’s public services. The OSCE is pleased to have this opportunity to support and encourage these changes,” said Mr. Chiveri, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. The Centre will continue to play a significant role in maintaining and upgrading the SRS’ knowledge for improving the provision of public services and heightening inter-organizational communication.