David Lakhdir's speech at the opening ceremony of the new building of the Institute of Seismology

June 29, 2023

On June 26, the grand opening of the new building of the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, built by AUCA specifically for a scientific institution, took place. David Lakhdir, Head of the AUCA Board of Trustees, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Prime Minister Zhaparov, President of the National Academy of Sciences Abdrakhmatov! Dear Academicians of the National Academy of Sciences, President Becker, Vice President Shamshiev, and other distinguished guests!

President Japarov, President of the National Academy of Sciences Abdrakhmatov, esteemed Academicians of the National Academy of Sciences, Ambassador Viguerie, President Becker, Vice President Shamshiev, and other distinguished guests!

I say that both because of the critical role that the Institute of Seismology plays in the life of this nation, advancing science and research, while also serving to protect the people. And because of our delight that the Institute’s new home is here, adjoining the campus of the American University of Central Asia.

My introduction to the critical importance of seismology in this region came at a very early age. The first time I visited Central Asia was in June of 1968. I was a 10-year-old boy at the time. My family flew from Moscow to Tashkent, presumably because that was the best way to get to Central Asia on Aeroflot at that time.

Tashkent in 1968 was still recovering from the terrible earthquake in that city in 1966. The 1966 earthquake’s epicenter was in the very heart of the city, and as a result, it destroyed over 80 percent of the buildings in Tashkent, reducing many structures to rubble, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless, and costing the lives of many.

As a boy growing up in New York City, I had never before witnessed the destruction that earthquakes can cause. It was stunning. I was also enormously impressed by the massive ongoing effort to rebuild the city and provide housing for those left homeless.

Thus I was introduced, at a young age, to the seismological risks in this region, and to the importance of seismic monitoring and scientific study to better understand and protect against those risks.

Only two years after that, this country was devastated by the terrible Sarykamysh earthquake. I understand that that earthquake led to the founding of the Institute of Seismology, and facilitated the outstanding work that the Institute has done in the many years since its creation.

Today, almost exactly 45 years after my first, eye-opening, visit to Central Asia, we gather to celebrate the opening of the new home of the Seismological Institute of the National Academy of Sciences and look forward to its continuing tireless work to advance scientific research and protect the nation.
The American University of Central Asia is very pleased to have played a role, in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences, the Seismological Institute, and its esteemed leadership, in bringing this project to fruition.

Both the Institute and the University share a critically important objective: to advance research in service of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Kyrgyz people and the people of other countries in the region.

In that spirit, while today celebrates the completion of this excellent new headquarters building, we hope it also marks the beginning of a further chapter of continuing collaboration between the Seismological Institute and the University.

We, at the University, look forward to many further years of joint efforts in pursuit of our shared objective.

I would like to thank the President and Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Academy of Sciences, and, last but not least, Karmis construction company and all of the builders and craftsmen and women who have actually built this wonderful building. It’s a job well done. For that we are grateful.

Thank you!

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