Civil Service Reform in Kyrgyzstan: Challenges and Threats

The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the most dynamically reforming post-soviet countries. It has been recognised as an “island of democracy” in the post-soviet domain due to its initiatives towards democratisation and openness. The country has experimented with approaches and models in reforming its public administration from developed countries and it has managed to establish the basic institutions of democratic governance taking into account the traditions and mentality of its society. The reforms are aimed at improving the efficiency of public administration, increasing the public’s confidence in public administration and establishing a professional public service capable of contributing to a rapid, qualitative, and sustainable growth for the country in a market-based economy realm. However, reform efforts have been inhibited due to a turbulent history of independence, slow economic development and the existence of corruption. The newly adopted National Development Strategy 2018–2040 plots the course towards the development of regions, implementation of administrative and territorial reform, strengthening the fight again corruption, digitalisation of public administration among a number of other national development goals aimed at creating a stable platform for building a strong democratic state for its citizens, achieving a balance of power among the branches of government, establishing the rule of law and developing a vibrant civil society. Moreover, it aims at strengthening public human resources and developing a professional public service based on the principles of meritocracy, reduction of bureaucracy and maximisation of accessibility to and openness of public services to citizens.