The Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC), founded by the British Council and the AHRC-funded Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) in the UK, successfully completed its study trip across Central Asia, visiting Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The visit involved high-level meetings with key decision-makers and cultural leaders as well as visits to creative hubs, incubators and innovative labs, aimed to enhance collaboration and explore opportunities within the region’s flourishing creative industries.
A Pivotal Visit to Kyrgyzstan
The GCEC’s programme began in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from September 25-27, where the delegation, composed of international creative economy experts, engaged in a series of discussions and site visits. The highlight of the visit was a meeting with Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, who outlined Kyrgyzstan’s vision for its creative economy and GCEC shared experiences from their own countries to develop policy for growing the creative economy. The Creative Industries Park Law, offering tax incentives in architecture, digital media, fashion, or IT, was identified as a driving force behind the country’s ambition to become a creative hub in the region.During the visit, the delegation explored ololo’s hubs, such as ololoYurt and ololoPlanet, which stand out for their unique approach to fostering innovation by seamlessly blending co-working spaces with creative environments, where entrepreneurs, artists, and digital creators can collaborate and thrive in a vibrant, community-driven atmosphere. The GCEC also engaged with local institutions like Compass College, Bishkek International School, and The American University in Central Asia, all of which aimed to foster creative talent and international partnerships.
Denise Waddingham, the British Council’s Director for Central Asia, emphasized the importance of Kyrgyzstan’s role:
“Kyrgyzstan’s creative industries are a vital part of the region’s future economic development. Our visit highlighted the immense potential for global partnerships that can support the country’s creative innovators.”
Building Bridges in Kazakhstan
From September 28-30, the GCEC delegation traveled to Almaty, Kazakhstan, a key cultural and economic center. The visit included a public event at Dom 36, where international and local creative professionals discussed emerging trends in the creative economy and city development. The delegation also met with the Visit Almaty, Creative Industries Alliance of Kazakhstan, and Almaty Creative, fostering vital conversations about collaboration between local leaders in the sector.
The delegation’s time in Almaty underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation in the creative industries, exchanging knowledge and expertise of the GCEC members, and exploring numerous networking opportunities, while setting the foundation for future partnerships.
Forging New Paths in Uzbekistan
The study trip culminated in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where the GCEC delegation attended the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) from October 2-4, participating in panels and discussions focused on global creative economy trends. Visits to innovative hubs such as Moc Hub and Human House Gallery highlighted the unique fusion of traditional and contemporary art forms that define Uzbekistan’s creative landscape.
John Newbigin, Chairman of GCEC, praised the potential of Central Asia’s creative industries:
“This visit was a testament to the power of the creative economy to bridge cultures and foster sustainable development triggered by the creative economy across the globe. The collaborative spirit we witnessed in Central Asia will inspire new initiatives and partnerships for years to come.”
Karen Brodie, Deputy Director, Creative PEC said:
“It was a joy and privilege to see the inspirational work happening in the creative economy across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. At Creative PEC we invest in this international exchange because creative economies everywhere face opportunities and challenges that are global in nature, and transnational policy exchange for the creative economy benefits from the sharing of the on-the-ground experience of entrepreneurs, practitioners, investors, policymakers and academics. At Creative PEC we want to help bring about a more inclusive and informed approach at the global level to policymaking in the creative economy, these kind of exchanges support that mission.”
Spotlight on Global Development
The GCEC’s Central Asia trip has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to fostering a thriving global creative economy. Rehana Mughal, British Council’s Director of Creative Economy, expressed optimism about the future:
“The GCEC’s visit to Central Asia has helped to strengthen international networks amongst professionals and policy makers who are vital in supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in the creative industries and this is what is needed to nurture the creative workforce of the future. Going forward, I hope these connections will lead to new collaborations and strategic partnerships between countries that are tackling similar issues in the creative economy and we look forward to supporting that progress”.
Members of GCEC:
Pearl Wang Haoqing, China
Daniar Amanaliev, Kyrgyzstan
Karen Brodie, United Kingdom
Laura Callanan, United States
Andrea Dempster Chung, Jamaica
Edna dos Santos-Duisenberg, Switzerland and Brazil
Avril Joffe, South Africa
Marcel Kraus, Czech Republic
Dwinita Larasati, Indonesia
Jairaj Mashru, India
Omar Nagati, Egypt
John Newbigin, United Kingdom
Diana Marcela Rey Vásque, Colombia and Canada
Leandro Valiati, Brazil and South America
