MS. KULUIPA AKMATOVA

Areas of Expertise

Traditional Knowledge, Natural Resources Management, Local Communities and Livelihoods, Sociology

Brief Bio

Ms. Kuluipa Akmatova is one of the most qualified and foremost researchers of traditional knowledge in Kyrgyzstan. With an educational background in history and sociology obtained from the Kazan University in the Russian Federation, Ms. Akmatova has managed to become one of the pioneers in studying and documenting traditional ecological knowledge in Kyrgyzstan and has been contributing significantly to its revitalization.

Ms. Akmatova has extensive experience in designing and conducting qualitative research and applied research for development. Documenting and revitalizing traditional ecological knowledge in the country is among the topics she is well experienced in. Starting from 2013, she has been working on supporting local communities in the co-management of Mountain Ecosystems in the Kyrgyz Republic by documenting and disseminating local traditional pastoral and ecological knowledge.

Thus, to increase the resilience of mountain communities, under her leadership there were conducted studies on and revival of aboriginal animal breeds, in particular the aboriginal Kyrgyz horse and highland yaks. Currently, she is working on the application of traditional ecological knowledge in the protection of the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan. From 2007 to 2010, Ms. Akmatova worked for the Counterpart Consortium, where she designed and conducted social studies on local self-governance, social development of local communities. Training of adults on rural social development and capacity building of local communities on sustainable management of natural resources were of great importance in her work.

Since 2017, she has been leading the PF "Rural Development Fund" and actively participating in civil society development. Ms. Akmatova is currently leading a project to improve the adaptive capacity of mountain communities by creating opportunities for the sustainable use of medicinal herbs and other natural resources. The project strives to help the most vulnerable communities to diversify their sources of income and livelihood.

Ms. Kuluipa is a member of the Governing Council of the World Union of Spiritual Practices, a member of the international network of snow leopard defenders LOSL, a member of the Supervisory Board of the Agency for Community Development and Investment of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Currently, Ms. Kuluipa promotes the International Land Coalition Asia Platform on Locally-Managed Ecosystems with its 16 member NGOs from 8 countries of Central Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia.

Publications Weblink, if any:

• RDF (2019). Access to and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Report.
• https://prize.equatorinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/34/Final-Report-ABS_RDF_31082018-RUS_.pdf
• Akmatova K., et al. (2013) “Yaks of the Highlands”. Series "Traditional Knowledge of the Kyrgyz to Help Livestock Keepers"
• Akmatova K., et al. (2013) “The Yurt – The House of the Nomad”. Series "Traditional Knowledge of the Kyrgyz to Help Livestock Keepers"
• Akmatova K., et al. (2014) “Nomadic Pastures”. Series "Traditional Knowledge of the Kyrgyz to Help Livestock Keepers"