The Kazy Dikambaev Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of the distinguished statesman, public figure, and diplomat; historian, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and professor, Honorary Professor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kenesh Nurmatovich Kulmatov.
Kenesh Nurmatovich Kulmatov was born on May 25, 1934, in the village of Ak-Beshim, Chuy District, Chuy Region. In 1955, he graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Kyrgyz State University.
He began his career in the Komsomol, rising through the ranks from instructor to First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Leninist Communist Youth League of the Kyrgyz SSR. Over the years, he headed the Osh Regional Komsomol Committee and the Central Committee of the Leninist Communist Youth League of Kyrgyzstan. As the leader of the republic’s youth movement, he proved himself to be an enterprising and authoritative leader who made a significant contribution to the development of youth policy.
He held senior leadership positions within the party, including First Secretary of the Sverdlovsk District Party Committee of the city of Frunze, First Secretary of the Frunze City Committee of the Communist Party of the Kyrgyz SSR, and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Kyrgyz SSR. His work contributed to the development of science, culture, literature, and cinema in Kyrgyzstan.
Kenesh Nurmatovich was a renowned scholar and researcher. In 1968, he defended his master’s thesis in history, and in 1984, he earned his Ph.D. in history. He authored five monographs and numerous scholarly works on current issues in international relations and social development.
He has been in the diplomatic service since 1985. After graduating from the Diplomatic Academy of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the USSR to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Republic of the Maldives, the Kingdom of Nepal, and the United Republic of Tanzania. In 1991–1992, he served as Ambassador-at-Large for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR.
Since 1997, he has been engaged in academic and teaching activities at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, serving as Deputy Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Deputy Director of the Institute for Contemporary International Issues. He was a Doctor of Historical Sciences, a professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and an Honorary Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic.
This is a particularly profound loss for the Kazy Dikambaev Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kenesh Nurmatovich was an Honorary Professor at our Academy, and this title reflected the deep respect for his character, his wealth of diplomatic experience, his scholarly authority, and his significant contribution to training professionals for the international arena.
His connection with the Academy was not merely formal, but truly substantive. In 2003 and 2004, Kenesh Nurmatovich chaired the State Examination Commissions of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. For the then-young educational institution, his participation was an important demonstration of professional support, high trust, and attention to the development of a national school of diplomatic education.
Kenesh Nurmatovich Kulmatov was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (6th convocation) and to the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR, and served as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan.
For his many years of fruitful work, he has been awarded high state honors, including the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of Friendship of Peoples, the Order of Honor, the Order of Manas, 3rd Class, the Order of Dank, and numerous medals.
The fond memory of Kenesh Nurmatovich Kulmatov—an outstanding statesman, diplomat, scholar, and mentor—will forever remain in the hearts of his colleagues, students, and all those who had the good fortune to work and interact with him.
The staff of the Kazy Dikambaev Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Kenesh Nurmatovich Kulmatov