Transparency and Accountability in the Electric Power Sectors of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

The recent political upheaval and violent protests that rocked Kyrgyzstan—sparked in part by sharp hikes in tariffs for electricity and heat—serve as a reminder of the importance of the electric power sector in Central Asia. Discussions around the sector have long focused on the technical infrastructure while questions of institutional management have been largely ignored.

However, the politicization of the discussion around electricity in Kyrgyzstan suggests that donors and Western governments involved in the sector would be well advised to prioritize governance questions such as transparency and accountability as well as social and economic justice issues if they want to prevent further instability.  

The speakers at this Open Society Institute forum are among the top independent experts on electricity governance questions in Central Asia and have recently authored the first comprehensive Electricity Governance Assessments for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. They will share their findings and discuss policy recommendations for engagement in the sector.

Erica Marat will discuss these issues in a regional security and stability policy context. The Electricity Governance Assessments have been made possible by a grant from the OSI Central Eurasia Project and with the assistance of the World Resources Institute and the Prayas Energy Group.

Speakers

• Nurzat Abdyraulova, Director, UNISON; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Nikolai Kravsov, Public Foundation Ustin; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Bakhadur Khabibov, Executive Director, Public Association Consumer's Union; Dushanbe, Tajikistan
• Rafika Musaeva, Energy Association of Tajikistan; Dushanbe, Tajikistan
• Erica Marat, Central Asia analyst, contributor to Voice of America and Jamestown Foundation; Washington, D.C., USA
• Cornelius Graubner, Program Officer, OSI Central Eurasia Project; New York City, USA (moderator)

Location

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW
2nd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036