Bishkek residents urged to leave city during major international events

Bishkek residents urged to leave city during major international events
People pose for a picture against the smog in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 31 March, 2026.
Reuters

Kyrgyzstan has asked the 1.3 million residents of its capital Bishkek to leave the city while it hosts two international events at the end of August. In an appeal posted on social media, the government said it wanted to reduce disruption to people due to expected road closures during the period. 

Residents urged to avoid the city

Kyrgyzstan has asked the 1.3 million residents of its capital, Bishkek, to leave the city while it hosts two international events at the end of August. In an appeal posted on social media, the government said it wanted to reduce disruption caused by expected road closures during the period.

Reuters
Residents of Bishkek have been encouraged to take a trip to Issyk Kul during the events. Tourists take pictures in the Canyon of Wonders near Lake Issyk Kul, 30 May, 2011.
Reuters

Askat Alagozov, the Kyrgyz President's Press Secretary, urged residents to make the more than three-and-a-half-hour drive to the country's largest lake, Issyk-Kul, in a statement on Facebook.

“We ask the residents of Bishkek: during these days, please go to Issyk-Kul or other places of recreation. Otherwise, it will be inconvenient for you in the city. Roads will often be closed for three days,” he wrote on Tuesday.

Two major events

The 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit will take place in Bishkek from 31 August to 1 September. Heads of state from countries including China, Russia and India are due in the Kyrgyz capital for the annual meeting of the Eurasian political, economic and security organisation.

The SCO Summit coincides with Bishkek hosting the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games on 31 August. The event, sometimes dubbed the "Olympics of Central Asia", features ancient equestrian sports, traditional wrestling and falconry, and will take place in Kyrgyzstan until 6 September.

Alagozov said the leaders of 21 countries would be in Kyrgyzstan between 30 August and 1 September.

School start delayed

To reduce pressure on the city's public transport, officials have delayed the start of the academic year until 15 September, instead of the usual earlier start date. Alagozov said families could plan holidays until then.

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