# Sooronbay Jeenbekov

> president of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020

**Wikidata**: [Q23810819](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23810819)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sooronbay_Jeenbekov)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sooronbay-jeenbekov

## Summary
Sooronbay Jeenbekov is a Kyrgyz politician and farmer who served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020. Holding the highest office in the Central Asian nation during that period, he led a parliamentary republic characterized by its diverse cultural heritage and strategic location along the historic Silk Road.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 16, 1958
- **Nationality:** Kyrgyzstan (formerly Soviet Union)
- **Education:** Kyrgyz National Agrarian University
- **Known for:** Serving as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020
- **Employer(s):** Government of Kyrgyzstan
- **Field(s):** Politics, Agriculture

## Contributions
Sooronbay Jeenbekov's primary contribution was his tenure as the head of state of Kyrgyzstan, a sovereign state in Central Asia, from 2017 to 2020. During this time, he held the position of president within a parliamentary republic that is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. His leadership occurred in a nation with a population exceeding 6 million, utilizing the Kyrgyz som (KGS) as currency, and navigating the complex political dynamics of a region known as a crossroads of cultures. His public service has been recognized with state awards, including the Order of Manas and the Order of Nazarbayev.

## FAQs
**When did Sooronbay Jeenbekov serve as President?**
He served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020, leading the country during a period when it was recognized as a parliamentary republic in Central Asia.

**What is Sooronbay Jeenbekov's educational background?**
He attended the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU) in Bishkek, an institution founded in 1933 that specializes in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry.

**What awards has Sooronbay Jeenbekov received?**
He has been awarded the Order of Manas, a Kyrgyz state order established in 1996, and the Order of Nazarbayev, a state award of the Republic of Kazakhstan instituted in 2001.

**What were Sooronbay Jeenbekov's primary occupations?**
Before and during his political career, he has been identified as both a politician and a farmer, engaging in activities associated with government governance and agriculture.

## Why They Matter
Sooronbay Jeenbekov matters as a recent head of state of Kyrgyzstan, a nation that plays a significant role in Central Asia due to its strategic location as a bridge between East and Central Asia. His presidency contributed to the governance of a country that serves as a hub for trade and cultural exchange, deeply influenced by its history on the Silk Road. Leading a nation with a rich linguistic heritage including Kyrgyz, Russian, and Dungan, his work impacted the country's engagement with global bodies like the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. His background in agriculture, rooted in his education at the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University, also highlights the connection between the country's leadership and its vital agricultural sector.

## Notable For
- **Presidency:** Served as President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020.
- **State Awards:** Recipient of the Order of Manas and the Order of Nazarbayev.
- **Agricultural Education:** Graduated from the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University, a prominent institution specializing in veterinary and zootechnical sciences.
- **Dual Occupation:** Known for a professional background spanning both politics and farming.
- **National Leadership:** Led a parliamentary republic with a population of approximately 7.3 million (as of 2025) and a land area of 199,951 square kilometers.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Sooronbay Jeenbekov was born on November 16, 1958. He is a citizen of Kyrgyzstan, a sovereign state that gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. His educational path led him to the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU), located in Bishkek at 68 Mederov St. This university, established in 1933 as the Kirghiz Veterinary and Zootechnical Institute, is one of the oldest and most prominent institutions of higher education in the country. KNAU specializes in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry, fields that align with Jeenbekov's identified occupation as a farmer. The university has undergone several name changes throughout its history—КЗИ (1931–1938), КСХИ (1938–1996), КАА (1996–2001), and КАУ (2001–2009)—before adopting its current name in 2009.

### Political Career
As a politician, Sooronbay Jeenbekov engaged in activities associated with group decisions, governance, and policy-making. His most significant role was serving as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020. During this period, he was the head of state for a parliamentary republic located in the heart of the historic Silk Road. The country operates under a government type that involves the formulation and implementation of policies affecting over 6 million people. His tenure placed him at the forefront of the nation's international engagement, as Kyrgyzstan is a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

### National Context and Governance
Jeenbekov's presidency occurred within the specific geographic and political context of Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked country bordering China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The nation is characterized by its diverse cultural and linguistic heritage, with Kyrgyz as the national language and Russian and Dungan also widely spoken. The economy, where he held influence, utilizes the Kyrgyz som (KGS) as its national currency. The country's highest point is Jengish Chokusu, and its capital is Bishkek, operating in the UTC+06:00 time zone. During his time in office, the country navigated the complexities of being a crossroads of cultures, economies, and political systems in Central Asia.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Sooronbay Jeenbekov has received distinct honors recognizing his service. He was awarded the Order of Manas, a Kyrgyz order established on April 16, 1996. Additionally, he received the Order of Nazarbayev, a state award of the Republic of Kazakhstan that was instituted on January 1, 2001. These awards place him among notable figures recognized by Central Asian states for their contributions to governance and society.

### Professional Background
Beyond his political identity, Jeenbekov is also classified as a farmer. This occupation involves engaging in agriculture and raising living organisms for food or raw materials. This professional background is consistent with his alma mater's focus on agricultural research and innovation, including sustainable farming practices and livestock health. His dual identity as a politician and a farmer reflects the broader demographic and economic realities of Kyrgyzstan, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy and rural development.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.akorda.kz/ru/events/akorda_news/meetings_and_receptions/elbasy-vstretilsya-s-prezidentom-kyrgyzskoi-respubliki-sooronbaem-zheenbekovym)
2. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
3. Munzinger Personen
4. BBC Things
5. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line