Published on 31 July 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Kyrgyzstan

Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan enjoy very good relations, based on bonds of friendship forged since independence. Joint membership in the voting group of certain multilateral institutions, including the Bretton Woods institutions, contributes to this closeness. Technical cooperation, including in the field of water resource management, is another pillar of the bilateral relationship.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland enjoys an excellent reputation in this Central Asian republic. A major donor in terms of development cooperation, Switzerland is also an important trading partner for Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is a member of Switzerland’s voting groups in the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility.

Switzerland is also closely involved in water diplomacy in Central Asia. The ‘Blue Peace Central Asia’ initiative promotes regional cooperation between the five countries of Central Asia and encourages the development, at both technical and political levels, of cross-border projects linked to water management.

International Monetary Fund

World Bank

Global Environment Facility

Treaty Database

Blue Peace: Water as an element of security

Economic cooperation

Switzerland is one of the main buyers of Kyrgyz gold and is therefore an important trading partner for Kyrgyzstan, although trade in other areas remains modest.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise

Country Cockpit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland

Cooperation in the area of education

Researchers from Kyrgyzstan can apply for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to the State Secretariat for Education Research and Innovation (SERI).

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars, SERI

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid

Kyrgyzstan is a priority country for Swiss international cooperation. By 2029, CHF 20 million* will be allocated annually to the following areas:

  • Water and energy: Switzerland supports drinking water supply, irrigation and wastewater management through an integrated approach that also encompasses protection against natural hazards and the impacts of climate change. At the same time, Switzerland supports efforts to strengthen sustainable energy production and energy efficiency.
  • Sustainable economic development: The development of the private sector is intended to contribute to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and the creation of decent jobs. Furthermore, reforms to improve the economic framework conditions and a responsible financial sector are promoted.

Good governance, human rights and gender equality are being implemented at regional level.

*The budget figures are provisional and subject to the respective annual decisions of the Federal Council and the Swiss Parliament.

Development cooperation and humanitarian aid (Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan)

Cultural exchange

Switzerland supports diverse artistic and cultural activities in Central Asia that make a positive contribution to a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic transformation process.

Swiss in Kyrgyzstan

According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there are 51 Swiss citizens living in Kyrgyzstan in 2025.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland recognised Kyrgyzstan’s independence on 23 December 1991, and diplomatic relations were formally established on 14 February 1992. The Swiss embassy in Moscow initially handled diplomatic relations. From 1993 to 2012, the Swiss embassy in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent was responsible for Kyrgyzstan.

A Swiss cooperation office was opened in Bishkek in 1993, which was upgraded to an embassy in November 2012. Kyrgyzstan has a mission to the international organisations in Geneva whose ambassador has been accredited to Bern since 1996.

Kyrgyzstan, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

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