On August 22, 2025, Bishkek hosted the first international meeting of parliamentarians with disabilities as part of the "Sails of Spirit: Movement Towards Mutual Enrichment" project. The event brought together representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Russia.
The meeting’s goal aligns with the mission of "Sails of Spirit": to create a Space for Mutual Enrichment that promotes engagement in ExtraAbility business and fosters new opportunities for social and cultural inclusion.
The host of the meeting was Dastan Bekeshev, a blind deputy of the 7th convocation of the Jogorku Kenesh, who actively supports the "Sails of Spirit" project in Kyrgyzstan.
Distinguished guests included:
The program included a friendly meeting at the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, a tour of Bishkek’s city center, and a visit to the Historical Museum.
Special attention was given to the "Sails of Spirit" project, which is held annually in different countries with the support of the State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom." This year, a large-scale ExtraAbility Festival is planned in Mersin (Turkey), to which participants were invited by its organizer, Arslan Dursun.
"This meeting was an experiment without guarantees, but it succeeded fantastically. Around one table, deputies from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Turkey gathered, united by the philosophy of 'Sails of Spirit' and ExtraAbility. We saw the most important thing: people with disabilities can be catalysts for international activities and find common ground where politicians often disagree. Importantly, we agreed on concrete steps: joint projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan," shared Oleg Kolpashchikov.
Participants emphasized that such initiatives foster dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the promotion of inclusive practices in politics, culture, sports, and business. They expressed hope that such meetings will become a cherished tradition, uniting people and countries.
Project Partners of "Sails of Spirit":
The meeting’s goal aligns with the mission of "Sails of Spirit": to create a Space for Mutual Enrichment that promotes engagement in ExtraAbility business and fosters new opportunities for social and cultural inclusion.
The host of the meeting was Dastan Bekeshev, a blind deputy of the 7th convocation of the Jogorku Kenesh, who actively supports the "Sails of Spirit" project in Kyrgyzstan.
Distinguished guests included:
- Jasur Jumaev, Deputy of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, artist, and teacher of artistic photography.
- Kenzhegul Seitzhan, Deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of the 8th convocation, Commissioner for the Rights of Socially Vulnerable Categories of the Population under the President of Kazakhstan.
- Irina Smirnova, Deputy from the People’s Party of Kazakhstan.
- Oleg Kolpashchikov, President of the "White Cane" NGO, Head of the "Sails of Spirit" project, and co-founder of the international ExtraAbility Movement.
- Arslan Dursun, Vice President of the Turkish Federation of the Visually Impaired, Chairman of Tarsus Disability Platform, and main organizer of the ExtraAbility Festival in Mersin.
- Shevki Ikhya Sarydji, son of Lutfi Sarydji, known in Turkey as the "Grandfather of the Peaceful Atom."
- Kadyrkul Turdubaev, Chairman of the Sverdlovsk Regional Public Organization "Kyrgyzstan-Ural."
The program included a friendly meeting at the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, a tour of Bishkek’s city center, and a visit to the Historical Museum.
Special attention was given to the "Sails of Spirit" project, which is held annually in different countries with the support of the State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom." This year, a large-scale ExtraAbility Festival is planned in Mersin (Turkey), to which participants were invited by its organizer, Arslan Dursun.
"This meeting was an experiment without guarantees, but it succeeded fantastically. Around one table, deputies from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Turkey gathered, united by the philosophy of 'Sails of Spirit' and ExtraAbility. We saw the most important thing: people with disabilities can be catalysts for international activities and find common ground where politicians often disagree. Importantly, we agreed on concrete steps: joint projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan," shared Oleg Kolpashchikov.
Participants emphasized that such initiatives foster dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the promotion of inclusive practices in politics, culture, sports, and business. They expressed hope that such meetings will become a cherished tradition, uniting people and countries.
Project Partners of "Sails of Spirit":
- State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom"
- Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation "Rossotrudnichestvo"
- JSC "Concern Rosenergoatom"
- Russian Geographical Society
- Medscan Group
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin
- Institute of Management Design and Competitive Strategies LLC
- Issyk-Kul District State Administration (Kyrgyzstan)
- "Orbita" Base (Kyrgyzstan)
- Tarsus Disability Platform (Turkey)
- Khanty-Mansiysk Regional Organization of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People
- Surgut City Organization of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People
- Sverdlovsk Regional Public Organization "Kyrgyzstan-Ural"
- Ural Sails UPTK