Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree appointing Mirbek Mambetaliev as Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy. Under the same decree, Mambetaliev was formally relieved of his previous duties, according to the president’s press service.
On February 21, he was named acting minister pending approval by the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament). At the same time, Japarov dismissed Altynbek Maksutov, who had held the post since 2022.
A few days later, lawmakers approved Mambetaliev’s appointment by a majority vote, though the discussion was not without debate. Some members, such as Dastan Bekeshev, questioned his suitability for the role, noting that his professional background had little connection to the cultural sector.
Before joining the Ministry of Culture, Mambetaliev served as a state inspector in the presidential and government decision-making coordination department.
Born in 1980 in Przhevalsk (now Karakol) in the Issyk-Kul region, Mirbek Mambetaliev holds a degree in economics from Kyrgyz National University. He has worked extensively in both government and private sectors, primarily in economic and financial roles. His past positions include roles at the Entrepreneurship Development Fund, the Issyk-Kul Regional Administration, and the State Intellectual Property Service. Additionally, he has experience as a parliamentary consultant and as an advisor to the chairman of the Central Election Commission.