Kyrgyzstan has taken a major step toward safer roads by adopting new road design guidance as official national policy.
In February 2026, the Ministry of Transport and Communications formally adopted the guidance through Ministerial Order No. 43, making safer and more inclusive road design a national requirement.
Supported by the UNRSF, the Safe and Inclusive Road Design in Central Asia project brought together EASST, the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the International Road Federation (IRF), and UNESCAP to help modernise outdated road design standards and improve safety for all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
From the start, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic was closely involved, working with partners to ensure the guidance reflected national priorities. After the project ended, national stakeholders continued the work — reviewing, refining, and advancing the recommendations through technical consultations and coordination across institutions.
The guidance provides a practical framework to reduce road injuries by:
- applying Safe System principles aligned with national standards such as GOST-SNiP
- promoting inclusive design that protects vulnerable road users
- standardising safety practices across road design, construction, and operation
This strong government ownership led to the guidance adoption, making safer and more inclusive road design a national requirement. Implementation is now underway, with training being rolled out across relevant departments and the guidance shared with design companies and universities to build long-term capacity.
This achievement highlights the catalytic role of the UNRSF in supporting countries to move from technical solutions to policy adoption and system-wide change. By embedding safety into national standards, Kyrgyzstan is strengthening its road safety system and contributing to global efforts to halve road deaths by 2030.
