From Uranium Legacy to New Opportunities: With the support of EU, OSCE and UNDP, Mailuu-Suu Achieves New Milestones in Tourism and Local Development

Mailuu-Suu, Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyz Republic — 25 September 2026

New community-level initiatives in Mailuu-Suu are improving social infrastructure, creating opportunities for children and young people, supporting tourism and local economic development, as the European Union (EU), OSCE and UNDP continue their co-operation to address the uranium legacy in Kyrgyzstan. The efforts are being carried out under the EU-funded project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia – Phase III,” implemented by UNDP and OSCE. 

Since 2021, five community projects in Mailuu-Suu have been supported through EU-funded UNDP grants, with a total value of KGS 7.27 million (approximately USD 83,084). The initiatives focused on sports, children's infrastructure, preschool education, tourism, the urban environment and improving the quality of life for residents. These initiatives have been supported following a call for proposals at the local community level and, alongside the EU financial support, received practical support through works and funding from the local municipality and residents.

The initiatives include the renovation of the heating system of the city sports hall and construction of three children's playgrounds, improving conditions for sports and leisure for 694 children and adolescents and benefiting around 2,890 residents and 620 families. A further EU-funded grant supported the rehabilitation of the running track at the city stadium, improving conditions for training and sporting activities for residents, including children and young people.

In 2026, the support has expanded to areas directly linked to the city's future development. A grant of KGS 1.3 million (approximately USD 14,900) is supporting the establishment of Mailuu-Suu's first Tourist Information Centre and souvenir shop. The initiative aims to strengthen tourism infrastructure and the local economy following the decline in industrial employment. It is expected to create at least two permanent jobs, attract at least 1,000 tourists annually, and provide opportunities for local artisans, women and vulnerable groups.

Another 2026 initiative is supporting the equipping of a new kindergarten with furniture and equipment, enabling it to accommodate 120 children. The project is expected to create 28 jobs and increase access to preschool education in the city.

To further promote Mailuu-Suu’s tourism potential and strengthen public awareness on remediation works of the uranium legacy sites of Mailuu-Suu, conducted by the Ministry of Emergency Situation of Kyrgyzstan and EBRD through the EU co-funded ‘’Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia’’, an media tour was organized for 20 representatives of mass media communities from across Kyrgyzstan. The tour provided participants with an opportunity to explore the city’s tourism attractions, cultural heritage and uranium legacy remediation process, as well as ongoing community development initiatives. The initiative is intended to support broader media coverage of Mailuu-Suu and contribute to positioning the city as a destination with a growing tourism potential, while highlighting new opportunities for local development.

As part of the media tour, visitors are learning about the city's uranium heritage and ongoing remediation efforts. The programme included the Mailuu-Suu Uranium Heritage Museum, a presentation by the Ministry of Emergency Situations on uranium legacy sites, and visits to selected sites where remediation activities are under way. Participants were also introduced to a new trekking route linking Mailuu-Suu and Arslanbob created with the project’s support, as well as to Mailuu-Suu’s broader cultural and historical assets, including the Mailuu-Suu River, Central Park, historical and architectural landmarks along Kongantiev Street, and the museum of the Mailuu-Suu Electrolamp Plant.

Mailuu-Suu’s experience shows how aligning heritage, tourism, and community development with environmental and safety efforts can help address the uranium legacy more sustainability and effectively. The project supports residents’ ambition for Mailuu-Suu to be known not only for its uranium past, but also for its people and its cultural and natural heritage.

As co-operation between the European Union, OSCE and UNDP continues, the focus remains on building achievements already made and ensuring that investments in uranium legacy communities contribute to resilience, livelihoods and opportunities for future generations.

About the project

The project “Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Remediation in Central Asia – Phase III” is implemented by UNDP and OSCE with the financial support of the European Union. It supports stakeholder engagement, community participation and socio-economic development in former uranium mining sites that still require remediation supportin Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.