Central Asia: Today and Tomorrow with Former President of Kyrgyzstan

April 30, 2026 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The Ismaili Center

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About Event

Join Roza Otunbayeva, Former President of Kyrgyzstan for an Ismaili Center International Lecture as she reflects on current conditions in Central Asia and future opportunities for women in the region. Ms. Otunbayeva will offer insights on the current Central Asian landscape and share why it is imperative for the region to embrace and reach sustainable development goals in order to enhance women’s empowerment for societies and communities to thrive from a social and economic perspective.

From April 2010 to December 2011, Ms. Otunbayeva served as president of Kyrgyzstan, becoming the first female head of state in Central Asia. Throughout her distinguished diplomatic career, Ms. Otunbayeva has held various positions, including serving as Ambassador to both the United States and United Kingdom and serving as the USSR’s representative to UNESCO in Paris. She also served as the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan on three separate occasions. Between 2022 and 2025, she served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and led the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Ms. Otunbayeva will deliver a keynote address followed by a discussion moderated by Arturo Chavez, Vice President of Stantec and Asia Society Texas Board Member.

Venue

The Ismaili Center

2323 Allen Pkwy
Houston, TX 77019

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General Admission
Join the Ismaili Center and Asia Society Texas for a conversation with Former President of Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva. She will reflect on the current conditions in Central Asia, women's empowerment, and the importance of sustainable development for societies to thrive socially and economically.
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