Adult Education Festival – 2026: “Skills for the Future for a Sustainable Kyrgyzstan”

On 17-18 April 2026, the Adult Education Festival – 2026 took place in Bishkek. The event served as a national platform aimed at promoting lifelong learning, advancing modern skills, and contributing to the country’s sustainable development.

Today, the labor market is rapidly transforming under the influence of digitalization, automation, and the integration of artificial intelligence. According to international estimates, a significant share of existing skills will be transformed in the coming years, while demand for new competencies will continue to grow. In this context, adult education plays a key role in enhancing citizens’ competitiveness, supporting employment, and fostering entrepreneurship.

The main objective of the festival was to promote adult education as a strategic resource for the socio-economic development of Kyrgyzstan. The event also aimed to strengthen cooperation between the government, business sector, educational institutions, and civil society.

As part of the festival, a number of key activities were held. On 17 April, the official opening took place at the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic with the participation of representatives of government bodies, international partners, and experts. During the event, achievements in the field of adult education were presented, and outstanding professionals were recognized.

On the same day, the main program of the festival continued at the Chui Regional Drama and Satire Theater named after Sh. Termechikov. Participants attended master classes, interactive sessions, and an education and job fair. Discussions focused on digital skills, the use of artificial intelligence, emerging professions, and labor market demands. Special attention was drawn to competitions such as “Best Makeup Artist”, “Model of the Year”, and “AI User”.

The festival brought together a wide range of participants, including adult learners such as unemployed individuals, women, and rural residents, as well as trainers and educators, employers, representatives of state and local authorities, NGOs, and international organizations.

As a result of the event, awareness of adult education opportunities increased, new partnerships were established, and more participants were engaged in learning programs. The festival contributed to strengthening national dialogue on lifelong learning and promoting innovative education initiatives.

The Adult Education Festival – 2026 marked an important step toward building a culture of lifelong learning and preparing human capital for the digital and green economy of Kyrgyzstan.

The event was organized by the Association of Adult Education of Kyrgyzstan with the support of DVV International. The festival is planned to be held annually as a key platform for dialogue in the fields of education, labor market, and sustainable development.