Hey, fellow web builders!
If you’ve ever been asked to create a site for a Kyrgyz state body or local self-government office, you know the feeling — excitement mixed with “wait, what exactly do they want?”
Good news: the official Requirements for websites of state bodies and local self-government bodies (Decree No. 59-r, February 2023) are actually clear, sensible, and very much in line with modern web standards. I’ve read the full 11-page document so you don’t have to, and here’s the clean, no-jargon version every developer and client should keep handy.
1. The Non-Negotiables (Hosting & Domain)
- Domain must end in .gov.kg and be registered to the actual government body.
- The site must be physically hosted inside Kyrgyzstan.
- It has to appear on the main State Internet Portal (www.gov.kg).
- 24/7 uptime is required (except planned maintenance), and you must show public visit statistics.
2. Design That Feels Modern & Inclusive
- Fully responsive — works beautifully on phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Clean, uniform style across every page.
- Fast loading (keep heavy graphics minimal).
- Built with accessibility in mind from day one.
3. Languages Done Right
- Two mandatory versions: Kyrgyz (state language — opens by default) + Russian (official language).
- Optional extra languages are welcome.
- All content, menus, and interface texts must be properly translated — no machine-translation shortcuts!
- Users can switch languages instantly from any page.
4. Homepage Must-Haves (What Visitors Actually Need)
Your homepage should feel welcoming and useful. The rules ask for:
- Latest news with dates, titles, images, and short summaries
- Quick links to all main sections
- List of recent documents and vacancies
- Current events and ongoing projects
- State services (with link to the national e-services portal)
- Contact info + online reception for citizen appeals
- Anti-corruption section (link must be visible on homepage or footer)
5. Accessibility — No Excuses
This is one of the strongest parts of the document:
- Either create a dedicated “version for the visually impaired” (with a one-click switch on the homepage),
- OR fully comply with the standard КМС ГОСТ Р 52872-2021.
- Alt text for every image, proper contrast (minimum 4.5:1), font resizing without breaking layout, captions for video/audio, and accessible forms.
In short: the site must work for everyone — including people with disabilities.
6. Navigation & User Experience
- Maximum three clicks to reach any page.
- Consistent menu placement.
- Breadcrumb trails.
- Links to all national portals (Open Data, e-Services, etc.).
- “Back to top” buttons and internal page anchors.
7. Security & Privacy (Taken Seriously)
- Strong protection against hacking, data tampering, or downtime.
- Dedicated privacy policy page.
- No state secrets or restricted info allowed.
- Proper backups, logging, updates, and antivirus — the document even spells out technical server requirements.
Why This Matters
These aren’t just bureaucratic checkboxes. They were created to make government websites open, fast, accessible, and trustworthy for every citizen in Kyrgyzstan — from Bishkek to the mountains.
If you’re building one of these sites right now, treat the decree as your best friend. Follow it, and you’ll deliver something that doesn’t just pass inspection — it genuinely serves people.
Have you worked on a .gov.kg project yet? Drop your biggest lesson (or question) in the comments — I read every single one!
Happy coding, Your friendly web-dev blogger who just saved you 11 pages of legalese 😊
#WebDevelopment #Kyrgyzstan #GovTech #Accessibility #FrontendTips
