Bishkek and Almaty signed a plan for the years 2026-2030 On October 30, as part of the second forum for interregional cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, the office of the mayor of Bishkek and the administration of Almaty signed an action plan for the years 2026-2030. It sounds protocol, but let's see what is behind it.
The agreement includes an exchange of experience in urban management, architecture, urban planning, transportation, digitalization and housing and community services. In addition, joint initiatives in the commercial, economic, investment, scientific, technical and humanitarian fields. A separate block of culture, education, youth and sports relations. Bishkek and Almaty have been sister cities since December 12, 1997, so this is not the beginning of friendship, but an attempt to translate it into a practical level.
What is really interesting here? First, Almaty is a city that has undergone a serious modernization of its urban environment in recent years - public transportation, digital services, housing and management of community services. Bishkek objectively needs these skills not because it needs to be friends, but because the Almaty experience can be adapted faster than reinvented. Housing and community services and transportation are the most painful issues for the residents of Bishkek. Fares, garbage, roads, public transport. If the program provides even partial solutions in these areas, it will have real value.
Second, the "city-city" format is different from the "state-state" format. Municipalities can agree on specific things faster than ministries. After that, I would like to see which solutions Almaty Bishkek will try to implement first, who will be responsible for each item and how the citizens will be able to monitor the progress. Because twin cities are good, but what is more important to the citizens is not the date of the signing, but what will change on their street.