Mamatmusa Ukubaev works at the Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization,
The Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is a permanent executive body located in Tehran that coordinates economic, cultural, and technical cooperation among the states of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. It plays a key role in the implementation of projects and the support of the organization's working groups.
Mamatmusa was born in 1980 in Osh and graduated from school No. 9 in the Jalal-Abad region, studying for two years at a Turkish lyceum. After finishing school, he continued his education in Bishkek, where he earned a degree in international relations from the International University of Kyrgyzstan. Later, he completed his master's degree at the Academy of Management under the President.
Ukubaev worked for about ten years in the Office of the Jogorku Kenesh, after which he moved to the energy sector, taking the position of head of the external relations department at the Electric Stations JSC.
In 2021, he was offered the opportunity to represent Kyrgyzstan in an international organization, which led to his nomination for a position at the ECO Secretariat. The competition required knowledge in the field of energy and proficiency in English. Having successfully passed the selection, he has been working in Tehran since then.
According to Ukubaev, his stay in Iran has not been accompanied by negative attitudes from the locals. "Iranians are very simple and hospitable people. Of course, there are those who are not very friendly, as everywhere, but overall I have a positive view of their culture. Many Kyrgyz words have Persian origins. Iran is a large country with a rich history, home to various peoples. I noticed that we have a lot in common," he shares.
Ukubaev also noted that living in Iran is quite cheap. "1 liter of gasoline costs about 2 soms, which is cheaper than water. I paid only 3 dollars for utilities in a year. Electricity prices are also low. Stores are full of locally produced goods, and many Iranian products are even available in Kyrgyzstan. The government subsidizes imports, especially for goods that are not produced domestically," he added.
Iranians treat foreigners with respect, and as Ukubaev claims, in every country, there are people with various views. "Having strict discipline is necessary under conditions of international isolation. Human rights are respected in Iran, but politics and human rights often intersect," he emphasizes.
Mamatmusa also debunked myths about poor treatment of women in Iran. "I read a lot of false information on this topic and laughed. Women's rights are protected here. Men cannot treat their wives harshly, as the laws are on the side of women. Many of them live comfortably and drive luxury cars. If a woman does not wish to work, it is not a problem, as the law requires men to provide for the family," he explained.
Regarding healthcare, Ukubaev noted that it is free in Iran, although there are often queues in public hospitals. "Private clinics are expensive, and most wealthy people choose them. I have sent medicines to my friends in Kyrgyzstan, and they were significantly cheaper than here," he added.
Ukubaev also highly praised the education system in Iran. "Most students in universities are girls, and 90% of them receive higher education. However, young people sometimes do not realize how well their rights are protected, focusing only on issues about headscarves," he said.
Currently, Mamatmusa is on the coast of the Caspian Sea, as his organization has decided on a possible evacuation. "We can leave the country at any time through Azerbaijan. The embassy has already organized an evacuation plan, and we are in a safe place," he concluded.
