Sooronbay Jeenbekov

Sooronbay Sharipovich Jeenbekov (Kyrgyz: Сооронбай Шарип уулу Жээнбеков) (born 16 November 1958) is a Kyrgyz politician who served as the 5th President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 until his resignation in 2020, following a week of protests. Prior to that he served as the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from April 2016 to August 2017.

Sooronbay Jeenbekov in 2019

Quotes

• Education is not only our spiritual value but also a major resource for development. That is why the development of educational sphere is one of our government’s top priorities. Whether in mountainous or urban areas, providing citizens access to good education, healthcare and cultural systems has become one of our governments’ major tasks that we have been focused on.
  • "Inauguration of the UCA Naryn Campus" (19 October 2016)

• For us respecting the dignity of each individual, protecting the rights of children and women is tantamount to preserving the centuries-old historical heritage and spiritual values of our nation. That is exactly why we, the people of Kyrgyzstan, were the first in the Central Asian region in 1994 to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • "President Sooronbay Jeenbekov's Speech on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of UDHR" (16 December 2018)

• I am not clinging to power. I do not want to go down in the history of Kyrgyzstan as a president who allowed bloodshed and shooting on its people. I have taken the decision to resign.
• For me, peace in Kyrgyzstan, the country’s integrity, the unity of our people and calm in society are more important than anything else. Military personnel and law enforcement agencies are obliged to use weapons to protect the residence of the head of state. In this case, blood will be shed. It is inevitable. I urge both sides not to succumb to provocations.
  • "Kyrgyzstan’s president steps down amid political unrest" in The Guardian (15 October 2020)

• We strive to build a prosperous society, which will be engaged in creative work, thanks to which citizens can have a decent rest, travel, and children have good health and receive a quality education.
  • "President Sooronbay Jeenbekov's address to the Nation in connection with the pandemic and the upcoming elections" (30 June 2020)

• We are deeply convinced that it is the parliamentary democracy that corresponds to the nature of the development of our society.
  • "Sooronbay Jeenbekov addresses 73rd session of UN General Assembly" (26 September 2018)

• As a UN member state, the Kyrgyz Republic contributes to its development. Our global initiatives in the field of ecology, development of mountainous countries and preservation of historical heritage have been supported by the international community. The Kyrgyz Republic attaches special importance to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in Central Asia.
  • "Sooronbay Jeenbekov’s address to 75th session of UN General Assembly" (21 September 2020)